Pipefitter vs Machinist
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
Machinist
Metalwork · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$52,141
Salary Range$43,717 – $66,698
5yr Growth+6%
Trade Pay ScoreD (51/100)
Total Employment123,979
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Pipefitter | Machinist | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $84,056 | $66,698 | +$17,358 |
| New York, NY | $83,369 | $61,662 | +$21,707 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $80,739 | $59,339 | +$21,400 |
| Boston, MA | $77,572 | $65,491 | +$12,081 |
| Chicago, IL | $73,953 | $57,619 | +$16,334 |
| Portland, OR | $73,657 | $57,987 | +$15,670 |
| Seattle, WA | $73,553 | $65,465 | +$8,088 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,346 | $64,169 | +$9,177 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $72,416 | $52,117 | +$20,299 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $69,493 | $45,745 | +$23,748 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $69,257 | $50,078 | +$19,179 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $69,089 | $53,383 | +$15,706 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $66,974 | $47,196 | +$19,778 |
| Houston, TX | $66,737 | $53,304 | +$13,433 |
| Kansas City, MO | $66,082 | $47,317 | +$18,765 |
| Denver, CO | $65,691 | $51,848 | +$13,843 |
| St. Louis, MO | $65,530 | $48,863 | +$16,667 |
| San Antonio, TX | $63,370 | $47,841 | +$15,529 |
| Detroit, MI | $62,517 | $52,203 | +$10,314 |
| Dallas, TX | $61,950 | $49,483 | +$12,467 |
| Columbus, OH | $61,481 | $43,891 | +$17,590 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $61,462 | $44,848 | +$16,614 |
| Atlanta, GA | $60,909 | $50,744 | +$10,165 |
| Raleigh, NC | $60,805 | $46,215 | +$14,590 |
| New Orleans, LA | $60,720 | $48,371 | +$12,349 |
| Nashville, TN | $59,996 | $47,887 | +$12,109 |
| Charlotte, NC | $59,255 | $47,451 | +$11,804 |
| Miami, FL | $58,979 | $47,774 | +$11,205 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $58,134 | $45,510 | +$12,624 |
| Tampa, FL | $56,372 | $43,717 | +$12,655 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Pipefitters or Machinists make more money?
Pipefitters earn more on average, with a national median salary of $67,249 compared to $52,141 — a difference of $15,108 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Pipefitter or Machinist?
Pipefitter has stronger 5-year wage growth at 11% vs 6%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Pipefitter requires 5 years of apprenticeship, while Machinist requires 4 years.
Pipefitter salary by city →
Machinist salary by city →
All trades ranked by pay →
Fastest growing trades →