Labor Relations 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?
Labor Relations Specialists professionals earn $30,530 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 48.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Labor Relations Specialists earns $153,440 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Labor Relations Specialists$49,880 – $153,440
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$153,440
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Labor Relations Specialists | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $49,880 | $40,670 | +$9,210 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,670 | $48,860 | +$18,810 |
| Median (50th) | $93,500 | $62,970 | +$30,530 |
| 75th Percentile | $123,090 | $81,900 | +$41,190 |
| 90th Percentile | $153,440 | $105,150 | +$48,290 |
| Mean (Average) | $97,130 | $69,940 | +$27,190 |
Employment Numbers
Labor Relations Specialists
64,590
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Labor Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $145,360 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,460 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $118,620 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $106,180 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $105,710 |
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: Labor Relations Specialists or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Labor Relations Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $30,530 (48.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Labor Relations Specialists?
Labor Relations Specialists salaries range from $49,880 (10th percentile) to $153,440 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,500.
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 Labor Relations Specialists and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 64,590 Labor Relations 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 Labor Relations Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Labor Relations Specialists has a median salary of $93,500 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