Pipefitter vs Elevator Mechanic
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
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
Higher Pay
Elevator Mechanic
Specialty · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$103,991
Salary Range$85,102 – $139,652
5yr Growth+18%
Trade Pay ScoreA (88/100)
Total Employment192,597
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Pipefitter | Elevator Mechanic | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $84,056 | $139,652 | -$55,596 |
| New York, NY | $83,369 | $120,570 | -$37,201 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $80,739 | $110,300 | -$29,561 |
| Boston, MA | $77,572 | $126,690 | -$49,118 |
| Chicago, IL | $73,953 | $105,504 | -$31,551 |
| Portland, OR | $73,657 | $120,509 | -$46,852 |
| Seattle, WA | $73,553 | $124,851 | -$51,298 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,346 | $112,984 | -$39,638 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $72,416 | $104,268 | -$31,852 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $69,493 | $97,600 | -$28,107 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $69,257 | $113,878 | -$44,621 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $69,089 | $95,647 | -$26,558 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $66,974 | $94,491 | -$27,517 |
| Houston, TX | $66,737 | $106,227 | -$39,490 |
| Kansas City, MO | $66,082 | $103,000 | -$36,918 |
| Denver, CO | $65,691 | $103,186 | -$37,495 |
| St. Louis, MO | $65,530 | $94,596 | -$29,066 |
| San Antonio, TX | $63,370 | $85,102 | -$21,732 |
| Detroit, MI | $62,517 | $108,274 | -$45,757 |
| Dallas, TX | $61,950 | $106,807 | -$44,857 |
| Columbus, OH | $61,481 | $95,477 | -$33,996 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $61,462 | $100,080 | -$38,618 |
| Atlanta, GA | $60,909 | $94,513 | -$33,604 |
| Raleigh, NC | $60,805 | $93,293 | -$32,488 |
| New Orleans, LA | $60,720 | $87,397 | -$26,677 |
| Nashville, TN | $59,996 | $97,615 | -$37,619 |
| Charlotte, NC | $59,255 | $94,453 | -$35,198 |
| Miami, FL | $58,979 | $96,752 | -$37,773 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $58,134 | $98,981 | -$40,847 |
| Tampa, FL | $56,372 | $87,021 | -$30,649 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Pipefitters or Elevator Mechanics make more money?
Elevator Mechanics earn more on average, with a national median salary of $103,991 compared to $67,249 — a difference of $36,742 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Pipefitter or Elevator Mechanic?
Elevator Mechanic has stronger 5-year wage growth at 18% vs 11%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Pipefitter requires 5 years of apprenticeship, while Elevator Mechanic requires 4 years.
Pipefitter salary by city →
Elevator Mechanic salary by city →
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