Pipe fitter vs journeyman plumber

The differences between pipe fitters and journeyman plumbers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a journeyman plumber has an average salary of $54,678, which is higher than the $51,055 average annual salary of a pipe fitter.

The top three skills for a pipe fitter include carbon steel, hand tools and safety procedures. The most important skills for a journeyman plumber are plumbing, hand tools, and work ethic.

Pipe fitter vs journeyman plumber overview

	Pipe Fitter	Journeyman Plumber
Yearly salary	$51,055	$54,678
Hourly rate	$24.55	$26.29
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	12,846	10,869
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 48%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	-	4

What does a pipe fitter do?

A pipefitter specializes in pipe systems. They are mostly responsible for cutting, assembling, installing, and maintaining the pipes' condition within homes or establishments. There are also instances when a pipe fitter has to visit sites, investigate problems, and conduct tests and repairs when necessary. Most pipefitters work in a group setting and are required to communicate and coordinate with co-workers, all while adhering to a company's standards and safety policies.

What does a journeyman plumber do?

A journeyman plumber is responsible for conducting basic plumbing tasks, such as installing and repairing plumbing lines under the supervision of a head plumber. Journeyman plumbers connect pipes and ensure the stability of plumbing lines to avoid potential hazards and possible defects. They handle the maintenance and replacement of fixtures and identify the source of failure to adjust pressure and seal connections as needed. A journeyman plumber must be able to detect irregularities immediately and provide estimate costing to the customers for repairs.

Pipe fitter vs journeyman plumber salary

Pipe fitters and journeyman plumbers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Pipe Fitter	Journeyman Plumber
Average salary	$51,055	$54,678
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $63,000	Between $36,000 And $81,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Portland, OR
Highest paying state	Minnesota	Oregon
Best paying company	Spangler Candy	Constellation Energy Partners
Best paying industry	Construction	Construction

Differences between pipe fitter and journeyman plumber education

There are a few differences between a pipe fitter and a journeyman plumber in terms of educational background:

	Pipe Fitter	Journeyman Plumber
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 48%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Pipe fitter vs journeyman plumber demographics

Here are the differences between pipe fitters' and journeyman plumbers' demographics:

	Pipe Fitter	Journeyman Plumber
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8%	Male, 97.1% Female, 2.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 1.9% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 1.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between pipe fitter and journeyman plumber duties and responsibilities

Pipe fitter example responsibilities.

Certify GTAW & SMAW in various alloys on pipe and pipeline within various refineries.
Join piping by threading, caulking, wiping, soldering, brazing, fuse, or cement joints.
Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe theaters.
Read blue prints and ISO metric drawings.
Set up face blocks, jigs, and fixtures.
Collaborate with journeymen of many trades to complete tasks.

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Journeyman plumber example responsibilities.

Train and manage less experience plumbers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
Operate equipment such as cutting torches, threading machines, grinder, soldering and brazing.
Install and join copper, PVC, black iron and cast iron pipe and fittings below grind and above grind.
Work on sanitary sewer, rain leaders, and condensate lines using cast iron, PVC, and copper pipe.
Replace plumbing fixtures, water heaters, gas and electric, filtration systems, dishwashers, and service piping to structures.
Perform complete plumbing installations from rough-in to finishing according to Minnesota codes.

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Pipe fitter vs journeyman plumber skills

Common pipe fitter skills

Carbon Steel, 16%
Hand Tools, 11%
Safety Procedures, 7%
Isometric Drawings, 6%
Hot Water, 5%
Pipe Supports, 5%

Common journeyman plumber skills

Plumbing, 20%
Hand Tools, 19%
Work Ethic, 12%
Drainage Systems, 6%
Customer Service, 5%
Pipe Fittings, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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