Human Resources Specialists vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Specialists professionals earn $9,940 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 15.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Human Resources Specialists earns $126,540 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$126,540
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Specialists | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $45,440 | $40,670 | +$4,770 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,870 | $48,860 | +$7,010 |
| Median (50th) | $72,910 | $62,970 | +$9,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,270 | $81,900 | +$15,370 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,540 | $105,150 | +$21,390 |
| Mean (Average) | $79,730 | $69,940 | +$9,790 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
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: Human Resources Specialists or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Human Resources Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $9,940 (15.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
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 Human Resources Specialists and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 917,460 Human Resources Specialists 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 Human Resources Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Specialists has a median salary of $72,910 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