Pipefitter vs Ironworker
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
Ironworker
Structural · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$61,718
Salary Range$51,635 – $76,788
5yr Growth+9%
Trade Pay ScoreC (61/100)
Total Employment146,883
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Pipefitter | Ironworker | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $84,056 | $76,392 | +$7,664 |
| New York, NY | $83,369 | $76,788 | +$6,581 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $80,739 | $67,403 | +$13,336 |
| Boston, MA | $77,572 | $70,882 | +$6,690 |
| Chicago, IL | $73,953 | $61,751 | +$12,202 |
| Portland, OR | $73,657 | $67,774 | +$5,883 |
| Seattle, WA | $73,553 | $73,744 | -$191 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,346 | $73,852 | -$506 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $72,416 | $66,649 | +$5,767 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $69,493 | $60,483 | +$9,010 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $69,257 | $66,286 | +$2,971 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $69,089 | $60,368 | +$8,721 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $66,974 | $56,542 | +$10,432 |
| Houston, TX | $66,737 | $63,096 | +$3,641 |
| Kansas City, MO | $66,082 | $55,496 | +$10,586 |
| Denver, CO | $65,691 | $60,154 | +$5,537 |
| St. Louis, MO | $65,530 | $61,615 | +$3,915 |
| San Antonio, TX | $63,370 | $54,389 | +$8,981 |
| Detroit, MI | $62,517 | $64,916 | -$2,399 |
| Dallas, TX | $61,950 | $59,362 | +$2,588 |
| Columbus, OH | $61,481 | $59,476 | +$2,005 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $61,462 | $55,837 | +$5,625 |
| Atlanta, GA | $60,909 | $57,995 | +$2,914 |
| Raleigh, NC | $60,805 | $52,177 | +$8,628 |
| New Orleans, LA | $60,720 | $51,635 | +$9,085 |
| Nashville, TN | $59,996 | $53,348 | +$6,648 |
| Charlotte, NC | $59,255 | $59,148 | +$107 |
| Miami, FL | $58,979 | $53,124 | +$5,855 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $58,134 | $57,473 | +$661 |
| Tampa, FL | $56,372 | $53,383 | +$2,989 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Pipefitters or Ironworkers make more money?
Pipefitters earn more on average, with a national median salary of $67,249 compared to $61,718 — a difference of $5,531 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Pipefitter or Ironworker?
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 Ironworker requires 4 years.
Pipefitter salary by city →
Ironworker salary by city →
All trades ranked by pay →
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