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Steamfitter vs journeyman pipe welder

The differences between steamfitters and journeyman pipe welders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a steamfitter has an average salary of $69,544, which is higher than the $63,075 average annual salary of a journeyman pipe welder.

The top three skills for a steamfitter include brazing, hand tools and carbon steel. The most important skills for a journeyman pipe welder are pipe systems, brazing, and tig welding.

Steamfitter vs journeyman pipe welder overview

SteamfitterJourneyman Pipe Welder
Yearly salary$69,544$63,075
Hourly rate$33.43$30.32
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs63211,705
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 33%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

Steamfitter vs journeyman pipe welder salary

Steamfitters and journeyman pipe welders have different pay scales, as shown below.

SteamfitterJourneyman Pipe Welder
Average salary$69,544$63,075
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $95,000Between $46,000 And $85,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between steamfitter and journeyman pipe welder education

There are a few differences between a steamfitter and a journeyman pipe welder in terms of educational background:

SteamfitterJourneyman Pipe Welder
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 33%
Most common majorHeating And Air ConditioningPrecision Metal Working
Most common college--

Steamfitter vs journeyman pipe welder demographics

Here are the differences between steamfitters' and journeyman pipe welders' demographics:

SteamfitterJourneyman Pipe Welder
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 95.5% Female, 4.5%Male, 97.8% Female, 2.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 1.9% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.7% Asian, 1.9% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between steamfitter and journeyman pipe welder duties and responsibilities

Steamfitter example responsibilities.

  • Manufacture piping sections and join pipes by brazing, soldering and threading.
  • Perform tasks using torches, power tools, gauges and oxygen lances.
  • Install and inspect new and existing plumbing lines up to inches in diameter.
  • Pass many welding tests in Stick-Tig.-and Mig for high pressure steam, amonia refrigeration, medical gas.
  • Design and install commercial and residential plumbing.
  • Field fabricate and install piping, pump systems, fire protection sprinklers, and HVAC systems for fire protection systems.
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Journeyman pipe welder example responsibilities.

  • Silver brazing, working on piping systems from high pressure to fire suppression systems.
  • Fit up and weld pipe, blueprints, operate crane, forklift, torches and burn table
  • Complete extensive training in rigging, tool safety, PPE, scaffolding, fall protection and others.
  • Operate state-of-the-art production welding, brazing, and soldering equipment.
  • Perform MIG and stick welds and erecting structural steel utilize for building skeletons including specific/ detail measurements for accuracy.
  • Write JSA to identify the steps to do the job.
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Steamfitter vs journeyman pipe welder skills

Common steamfitter skills
  • Brazing, 16%
  • Hand Tools, 16%
  • Carbon Steel, 9%
  • Plumbing, 8%
  • HVAC, 7%
  • OSHA, 6%
Common journeyman pipe welder skills
  • Pipe Systems, 27%
  • Brazing, 20%
  • Tig Welding, 9%
  • Carbon Steel, 8%
  • MIG, 6%
  • TIG, 5%

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