SalaryByCity

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)

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

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

$61,890

Median annual salary

343,040 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 $1,080 more per year than Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians professionals — that's 1.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians earns $97,990 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.

Salary Range Comparison

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$38,020 – $97,990
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$38,020$105,150

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileClinical Laboratory Technologists and TechniciansPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersDifference
10th Percentile$38,020$40,670$-2,650
25th Percentile$46,580$48,860$-2,280
Median (50th)$61,890$62,970$-1,080
75th Percentile$80,010$81,900$-1,890
90th Percentile$97,990$105,150$-7,160
Mean (Average)$65,320$69,940$-4,620

Employment Numbers

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

343,040

employed nationwide

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

455,940

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$81,900
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$81,390
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$80,580
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$80,160
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$78,850

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: Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,080 (1.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians?
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salaries range from $38,020 (10th percentile) to $97,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,890.
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 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 343,040 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians 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 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians has a median salary of $61,890 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