Post job

Steamfitter vs pipe installer

The differences between steamfitters and pipe installers 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 $50,468 average annual salary of a pipe installer.

The top three skills for a steamfitter include brazing, hand tools and carbon steel. The most important skills for a pipe installer are HVAC, brazing, and install pipe.

Steamfitter vs pipe installer overview

SteamfitterPipe Installer
Yearly salary$69,544$50,468
Hourly rate$33.43$24.26
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs63215,883
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 57%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

Steamfitter vs pipe installer salary

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

SteamfitterPipe Installer
Average salary$69,544$50,468
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $95,000Between $37,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between steamfitter and pipe installer education

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

SteamfitterPipe Installer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 57%
Most common majorHeating And Air ConditioningPrecision Metal Working
Most common college--

Steamfitter vs pipe installer demographics

Here are the differences between steamfitters' and pipe installers' demographics:

SteamfitterPipe Installer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 95.5% Female, 4.5%Male, 97.7% Female, 2.3%
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, 8.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 23.8% Asian, 1.8% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between steamfitter and pipe installer 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.
  • Show more

Pipe installer example responsibilities.

  • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
  • Work with pex plumbing, PVC drain pipe, and copper pipe.
  • Configure Cat6 cabling/wall jack terminations, testing voice/data line activity to confirm connections.
  • Work responsibilities includes installation services such as hot water heater installations, dishwasher, toilet and faucets.
  • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.

Steamfitter vs pipe installer skills

Common steamfitter skills
  • Brazing, 16%
  • Hand Tools, 16%
  • Carbon Steel, 9%
  • Plumbing, 8%
  • HVAC, 7%
  • OSHA, 6%
Common pipe installer skills
  • HVAC, 27%
  • Brazing, 21%
  • Install Pipe, 18%
  • PVC, 6%
  • Water Lines, 4%
  • Copper Pipe, 4%

Browse construction and extraction jobs