Pipefitter vs Diesel Mechanic
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Higher Pay
Pipefitter
Plumbing · 5yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$67,249
Salary Range$56,372 – $84,056
5yr Growth+11%
Trade Pay ScoreC (68/100)
Total Employment165,255
Cities Tracked30
Diesel Mechanic
Automotive · 3yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$58,284
Salary Range$47,316 – $73,710
5yr Growth+9%
Trade Pay ScoreC (59/100)
Total Employment143,565
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Pipefitter | Diesel Mechanic | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $84,056 | $73,710 | +$10,346 |
| New York, NY | $83,369 | $72,771 | +$10,598 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $80,739 | $68,978 | +$11,761 |
| Boston, MA | $77,572 | $65,267 | +$12,305 |
| Chicago, IL | $73,953 | $67,940 | +$6,013 |
| Portland, OR | $73,657 | $60,373 | +$13,284 |
| Seattle, WA | $73,553 | $67,005 | +$6,548 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,346 | $66,424 | +$6,922 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $72,416 | $61,255 | +$11,161 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $69,493 | $55,247 | +$14,246 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $69,257 | $56,933 | +$12,324 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $69,089 | $56,188 | +$12,901 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $66,974 | $58,507 | +$8,467 |
| Houston, TX | $66,737 | $61,184 | +$5,553 |
| Kansas City, MO | $66,082 | $54,335 | +$11,747 |
| Denver, CO | $65,691 | $62,846 | +$2,845 |
| St. Louis, MO | $65,530 | $52,947 | +$12,583 |
| San Antonio, TX | $63,370 | $47,316 | +$16,054 |
| Detroit, MI | $62,517 | $55,569 | +$6,948 |
| Dallas, TX | $61,950 | $53,970 | +$7,980 |
| Columbus, OH | $61,481 | $52,810 | +$8,671 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $61,462 | $52,367 | +$9,095 |
| Atlanta, GA | $60,909 | $58,416 | +$2,493 |
| Raleigh, NC | $60,805 | $51,277 | +$9,528 |
| New Orleans, LA | $60,720 | $55,843 | +$4,877 |
| Nashville, TN | $59,996 | $56,573 | +$3,423 |
| Charlotte, NC | $59,255 | $49,453 | +$9,802 |
| Miami, FL | $58,979 | $50,711 | +$8,268 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $58,134 | $53,610 | +$4,524 |
| Tampa, FL | $56,372 | $48,707 | +$7,665 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Pipefitters or Diesel Mechanics make more money?
Pipefitters earn more on average, with a national median salary of $67,249 compared to $58,284 — a difference of $8,965 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Pipefitter or Diesel Mechanic?
Pipefitter has stronger 5-year wage growth at 11% vs 9%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Pipefitter requires 5 years of apprenticeship, while Diesel Mechanic requires 3 years.
Pipefitter salary by city →
Diesel Mechanic salary by city →
All trades ranked by pay →
Fastest growing trades →