Electricians vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn $620 more per year than Electricians professionals — that's 1.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Electricians earns $106,030 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Electricians$39,430 – $106,030
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$39,430$106,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Electricians | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,430 | $40,670 | $-1,240 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,820 | $48,860 | $-40 |
| Median (50th) | $62,350 | $62,970 | $-620 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,730 | $81,900 | $-170 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,030 | $105,150 | +$880 |
| Mean (Average) | $69,630 | $69,940 | $-310 |
Employment Numbers
Electricians
742,580
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Electricians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $102,070 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $101,600 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $99,540 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $95,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $95,020 |
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: Electricians or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $620 (1.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electricians?
Electricians salaries range from $39,430 (10th percentile) to $106,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,350.
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 Electricians and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 742,580 Electricians 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 Electricians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electricians has a median salary of $62,350 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