Loan Officers vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Loan Officers professionals earn $11,210 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 17.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Loan Officers earns $145,780 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Loan Officers$38,490 – $145,780
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$38,490$145,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Loan Officers | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,490 | $40,670 | $-2,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,460 | $48,860 | +$1,600 |
| Median (50th) | $74,180 | $62,970 | +$11,210 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,920 | $81,900 | +$20,020 |
| 90th Percentile | $145,780 | $105,150 | +$40,630 |
| Mean (Average) | $86,020 | $69,940 | +$16,080 |
Employment Numbers
Loan Officers
290,530
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Loan Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $102,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $94,850 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $94,840 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $94,110 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $91,900 |
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: Loan Officers or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Loan Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $11,210 (17.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Loan Officers?
Loan Officers salaries range from $38,490 (10th percentile) to $145,780 (90th percentile), with a median of $74,180.
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 Loan Officers and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 290,530 Loan Officers 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 Loan Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Loan Officers has a median salary of $74,180 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