Pipefitter Salary.
Across 30 U.S. cities.
$66,000
national median salary
$50,000 to $86,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$92,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$69,000
Washington DC, DC
Lowest Paying
$58,000
St. Louis, MO
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026.
The average Pipefitter salary in the United States is $66,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $50,000 at the 25th percentile to $86,000 at the 75th. San Jose pays the most at $92,000, while Washington DC offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Industrial pipefitters working in refineries, power plants, and pharmaceutical facilities earn the highest wages due to exacting tolerances and hazardous materials handling.
Pipefitter salary by city
What you should know
Industrial pipefitters working in refineries, power plants, and pharmaceutical facilities earn the highest wages due to exacting tolerances and hazardous materials handling. Welding certifications in combination with pipefitting significantly boost rates by 15 to 25%. Shutdown and turnaround work at petrochemical plants offers premium overtime packages that push annual earnings well above base.
Pipefitter apprentices start at $36,000 to $44,000 during their five year apprenticeship. Journeyman pipefitters earn $50,000 to $72,000, while foremen and project leads reach $75,000 to $95,000. Piping superintendents and estimators at industrial contractors command $95,000 to $130,000.
Union pipefitters receive benefits worth $18,000 to $28,000 annually including pension, health, and training funds. Travel assignments to industrial sites include per diem of $75 to $125 daily, and double-time overtime during shutdowns can dramatically increase take-home pay.