Welder vs Pipefitter
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Welder
Welding · 3yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$50,902
Salary Range$41,148 – $66,632
5yr Growth+8%
Trade Pay ScoreD (54/100)
Total Employment144,671
Cities Tracked30
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
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Welder | Pipefitter | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $66,632 | $83,369 | -$16,737 |
| San Francisco, CA | $62,299 | $84,056 | -$21,757 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $60,560 | $73,346 | -$12,786 |
| Seattle, WA | $58,722 | $73,553 | -$14,831 |
| Boston, MA | $56,411 | $77,572 | -$21,161 |
| Chicago, IL | $55,958 | $73,953 | -$17,995 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $54,215 | $72,416 | -$18,201 |
| Denver, CO | $52,173 | $65,691 | -$13,518 |
| Houston, TX | $51,959 | $66,737 | -$14,778 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $51,794 | $80,739 | -$28,945 |
| Portland, OR | $51,629 | $73,657 | -$22,028 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $51,400 | $69,493 | -$18,093 |
| St. Louis, MO | $51,031 | $65,530 | -$14,499 |
| Dallas, TX | $50,502 | $61,950 | -$11,448 |
| Raleigh, NC | $49,553 | $60,805 | -$11,252 |
| Detroit, MI | $49,210 | $62,517 | -$13,307 |
| Charlotte, NC | $49,035 | $59,255 | -$10,220 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $48,956 | $58,134 | -$9,178 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $48,469 | $69,089 | -$20,620 |
| Miami, FL | $48,356 | $58,979 | -$10,623 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $48,323 | $66,974 | -$18,651 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $48,316 | $69,257 | -$20,941 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $48,113 | $61,462 | -$13,349 |
| New Orleans, LA | $47,590 | $60,720 | -$13,130 |
| Columbus, OH | $46,818 | $61,481 | -$14,663 |
| Atlanta, GA | $46,015 | $60,909 | -$14,894 |
| Nashville, TN | $45,564 | $59,996 | -$14,432 |
| Kansas City, MO | $44,845 | $66,082 | -$21,237 |
| Tampa, FL | $41,466 | $56,372 | -$14,906 |
| San Antonio, TX | $41,148 | $63,370 | -$22,222 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Welders or Pipefitters make more money?
Pipefitters earn more on average, with a national median salary of $67,249 compared to $50,902 — a difference of $16,347 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Welder or Pipefitter?
Pipefitter has stronger 5-year wage growth at 11% vs 8%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Welder requires 3 years of apprenticeship, while Pipefitter requires 5 years.
Welder salary by city →
Pipefitter salary by city →
All trades ranked by pay →
Fastest growing trades →