SalaryByCity

Child, Family, and School Social Workers vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

$58,570

Median annual salary

382,960 employed nationally

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

$62,970

Median annual salary

455,940 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn $4,400 more per year than Child, Family, and School Social Workers professionals — that's 7.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Child, Family, and School Social Workers earns $94,030 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.

Salary Range Comparison

Child, Family, and School Social Workers$40,580 – $94,030
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,580$105,150

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileChild, Family, and School Social WorkersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersDifference
10th Percentile$40,580$40,670$-90
25th Percentile$47,480$48,860$-1,380
Median (50th)$58,570$62,970$-4,400
75th Percentile$74,060$81,900$-7,840
90th Percentile$94,030$105,150$-11,120
Mean (Average)$62,920$69,940$-7,020

Employment Numbers

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

382,960

employed nationwide

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

455,940

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Child, Family, and School Social Workers

CityMedian
Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT$80,280
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$78,700
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$76,600
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$75,780
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$74,530

Best Cities for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

CityMedian
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$100,110
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI$98,890
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$97,020
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$90,220
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$87,160

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Child, Family, and School Social Workers or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $4,400 (7.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Child, Family, and School Social Workers?
Child, Family, and School Social Workers salaries range from $40,580 (10th percentile) to $94,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $58,570.
What is the salary range for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries range from $40,670 (10th percentile) to $105,150 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,970.
How many Child, Family, and School Social Workers and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 382,960 Child, Family, and School Social Workers positions and 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters to Child, Family, and School Social Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Child, Family, and School Social Workers has a median salary of $58,570 while Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $62,970. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS