Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Job description

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters 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.

• Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.
• Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.
• Assemble or secure pipes, tubes, fittings, or related equipment, according to specifications, by welding, brazing, cementing, soldering, or threading joints.
• Measure and mark pipes for cutting or threading.

Salary

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters with little to no experience tend to make between $32100 and $40250 while the more experienced ones can earn over $71140 per year.

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Pipe Fitter and Steamfitter is to move to a higher paying state like IL. Right now, the highest paying states for Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters are IL, AK, MN, NY and HI.

However, a higher pay at IL doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at IL might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Pipe Fitter and Steamfitter is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.

Requirements

We asked other Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Post-Secondary Certificate followed by a High School Diploma.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Pipe Fitter and Steamfitter.

What is the job like

62% of Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters said they were satisfied with their job and 63% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.

Is this right for me

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

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