General and Operations Managers vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
General and Operations Managers professionals earn $39,980 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 63.5% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
General and Operations Managers$47,420 – N/A
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$105,150
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | General and Operations Managers | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $47,420 | $40,670 | +$6,750 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,160 | $48,860 | +$18,300 |
| Median (50th) | $102,950 | $62,970 | +$39,980 |
| 75th Percentile | $164,130 | $81,900 | +$82,230 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $105,150 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $133,120 | $69,940 | +$63,180 |
Employment Numbers
General and Operations Managers
3,584,420
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for General and Operations Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $162,480 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $152,090 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $151,420 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $149,260 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $141,280 |
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: General and Operations Managers or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
General and Operations Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $39,980 (63.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for General and Operations Managers?
General and Operations Managers salaries range from $47,420 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $102,950.
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 General and Operations Managers and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,584,420 General and Operations Managers 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 General and Operations Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. General and Operations Managers has a median salary of $102,950 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