Pipefitter vs Power Line Installer
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
Power Line Installer
Electrical · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$87,732
Salary Range$74,545 – $112,855
5yr Growth+16%
Trade Pay ScoreA (86/100)
Total Employment217,003
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Pipefitter | Power Line Installer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $84,056 | $104,999 | -$20,943 |
| New York, NY | $83,369 | $112,855 | -$29,486 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $80,739 | $98,777 | -$18,038 |
| Boston, MA | $77,572 | $98,333 | -$20,761 |
| Chicago, IL | $73,953 | $94,049 | -$20,096 |
| Portland, OR | $73,657 | $99,431 | -$25,774 |
| Seattle, WA | $73,553 | $97,004 | -$23,451 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,346 | $99,425 | -$26,079 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $72,416 | $88,613 | -$16,197 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $69,493 | $83,676 | -$14,183 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $69,257 | $86,876 | -$17,619 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $69,089 | $91,683 | -$22,594 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $66,974 | $79,227 | -$12,253 |
| Houston, TX | $66,737 | $88,707 | -$21,970 |
| Kansas City, MO | $66,082 | $79,542 | -$13,460 |
| Denver, CO | $65,691 | $86,992 | -$21,301 |
| St. Louis, MO | $65,530 | $83,941 | -$18,411 |
| San Antonio, TX | $63,370 | $76,343 | -$12,973 |
| Detroit, MI | $62,517 | $85,790 | -$23,273 |
| Dallas, TX | $61,950 | $87,080 | -$25,130 |
| Columbus, OH | $61,481 | $85,011 | -$23,530 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $61,462 | $78,807 | -$17,345 |
| Atlanta, GA | $60,909 | $80,461 | -$19,552 |
| Raleigh, NC | $60,805 | $82,108 | -$21,303 |
| New Orleans, LA | $60,720 | $82,075 | -$21,355 |
| Nashville, TN | $59,996 | $75,751 | -$15,755 |
| Charlotte, NC | $59,255 | $74,545 | -$15,290 |
| Miami, FL | $58,979 | $84,373 | -$25,394 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $58,134 | $84,221 | -$26,087 |
| Tampa, FL | $56,372 | $81,266 | -$24,894 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Pipefitters or Power Line Installers make more money?
Power Line Installers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $87,732 compared to $67,249 — a difference of $20,483 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Pipefitter or Power Line Installer?
Power Line Installer has stronger 5-year wage growth at 16% vs 11%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Pipefitter requires 5 years of apprenticeship, while Power Line Installer requires 4 years.
Pipefitter salary by city →
Power Line Installer salary by city →
All trades ranked by pay →
Fastest growing trades →