Data Scientists vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $49,620 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 78.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $40,670 | +$22,980 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $48,860 | +$33,770 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $62,970 | +$49,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $81,900 | +$73,910 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $105,150 | +$89,260 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $69,940 | +$54,650 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Best Cities for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| 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: Data Scientists or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $49,620 (78.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists 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 Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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