Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters out-earn Construction Laborers by $17K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters land at $63,800 and Construction Laborers at $47,120. The education gap is real: plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitter programs typically require no formal educational credential, while construction laborer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is District of Columbia ($101,020); for Construction Laborers it's Hawaii ($77,110).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Construction Laborers?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earn more nationally. The median is $63,800 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters versus $47,120 for Construction Laborers, a difference of $17K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Construction Laborers?
Construction Laborers has the better 10-year outlook at 7.3% projected growth, compared to 4.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Construction Laborers?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters typically requires no formal educational credential. Construction Laborers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters at $101,020/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs. Construction Laborers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Illinois, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earn $99,950 vs. $60,690 for Construction Laborers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.