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Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers out-earn Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters by $16K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters land at $63,800 and First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers at $79,920. The education gap is real: plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitter programs typically require no formal educational credential, while first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is District of Columbia ($101,020); for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers it's Washington ($109,570).

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Median salary
$63,800
$79,920
Hourly rate
$30.67/hr
$38.42/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$44,150
$53,280
Senior level (90th %)
$108,420
$128,260
Education required
No formal educational credential
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
465,840
812,210
Job growth (10-year)
4.5%
5.3%
Category
Construction & Trades
Construction & Trades
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters median pay.

State
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
District of Columbia
$101,020
$86,520
Illinois
$99,950
$105,750
Oregon
$97,050
$103,070
Minnesota
$94,410
$97,610
Alaska
$93,920
$102,140
Massachusetts
$93,880
$97,850
Wisconsin
$81,210
$85,350
Washington
$81,030
$109,570
New Jersey
$78,240
$105,510
Hawaii
$78,060
$102,630
New York
$77,490
$95,700
Connecticut
$77,280
$92,260
Rhode Island
$76,470
$98,590
California
$72,830
$97,680
Missouri
$66,790
$87,520

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers earn more nationally. The median is $63,800 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters versus $79,920 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers, a difference of $16K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 5.3% 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 First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters typically requires no formal educational credential. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers 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. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earn $101,020 vs. $86,520 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfittersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workersGuide →