All About Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters

Job Description: Lay out, assemble, install, or maintain pipe systems, pipe supports, or related hydraulic or pneumatic equipment for steam, hot water, heating, cooling, lubricating, sprinkling, or industrial production or processing systems.

Life as a Pipe Fitter or Steamfitter: What Do They Do?

• Remove and replace worn components.
• Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.
• Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.
• Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.
• Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
• Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches.

What Every Pipe Fitter or Steamfitter Should Know

These are the skills Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters say are the most useful in their careers:

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Related Job Titles

• Fire Hydrant Mechanic
• Gas Pipe Layer
• Pipe Welder
• Sprinkling System Installer
• Air Conditioning Installer

Is There Going to be Demand for Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters?

In the United States, there were 480,600 jobs for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in 2016.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 15.6% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 75,200 new jobs for Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters by 2026. The BLS estimates 61,000 yearly job openings in this field per year.

The states with the most job growth for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters are Texas, California, and Florida.

Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Pipe Fitter or Steamfitter Salary

The average yearly salary of a Pipe Fitter or Steamfitter ranges between $32,100 and $93,700. A Pipe Fitter or Steamfitter median salary is $53,910.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Illinois	$79,400
Alaska	$75,520
Minnesota	$74,220
New York	$73,820
Oregon	$73,810
Hawaii	$73,810
New Jersey	$71,370
Massachusetts	$70,320
District of Columbia	$69,800
Wisconsin	$68,510
Washington	$67,090
Connecticut	$63,780
Missouri	$63,550
Delaware	$61,640
Michigan	$61,620
California	$61,410
Montana	$60,940
Maryland	$60,610
Pennsylvania	$60,380
Indiana	$60,030
West Virginia	$60,000
Kentucky	$55,890
Ohio	$55,640
Nevada	$55,600
New Hampshire	$55,180
Kansas	$55,140
Nebraska	$55,110
Louisiana	$54,940
North Dakota	$53,800
Wyoming	$53,550
Colorado	$53,350
Iowa	$52,060
Utah	$51,970
Vermont	$51,210
Maine	$50,830
Oklahoma	$50,710
Virginia	$50,330
Texas	$49,180
Arizona	$48,950
Tennessee	$48,850
Georgia	$48,680
Idaho	$47,320
New Mexico	$45,420
Mississippi	$45,280
Alabama	$45,260
South Carolina	$44,970
Florida	$44,200
North Carolina	$43,750
South Dakota	$43,600
Arkansas	$43,540

Tools & Technologies Used by Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters may use on a daily basis:

• Computer aided design CAD software
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Excel
• AEC Design Group CADPIPE
• ViziFlow

How do I Become a Pipe Fitter or Steamfitter?

What education or degrees do I need to become a Pipe Fitter or Steamfitter?

How Long Does it Take to Become Pipe Fitter or Steamfitter?

Where do Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters Work?

Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those interested in being a Pipe Fitter or Steamfitter may also be interested in:

• Power Plant Operators
• Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

Are you already one of the many Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

• Motorcycle Mechanics

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons