Electrical Engineers vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn $48,940 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 77.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Electrical Engineers earns $175,460 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$175,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Electrical Engineers | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $74,670 | $40,670 | +$34,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,590 | $48,860 | +$38,730 |
| Median (50th) | $111,910 | $62,970 | +$48,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $141,630 | $81,900 | +$59,730 |
| 90th Percentile | $175,460 | $105,150 | +$70,310 |
| Mean (Average) | $120,980 | $69,940 | +$51,040 |
Employment Numbers
Electrical Engineers
188,790
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
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: Electrical Engineers or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $48,940 (77.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
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 Electrical Engineers and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 188,790 Electrical Engineers 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 Electrical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electrical Engineers has a median salary of $111,910 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