Office Clerks, General 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 $19,340 more per year than Office Clerks, General professionals — that's 44.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Office Clerks, General earns $63,840 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Office Clerks, General$29,120 – $63,840
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$29,120$105,150
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Office Clerks, General | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $29,120 | $40,670 | $-11,550 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,350 | $48,860 | $-13,510 |
| Median (50th) | $43,630 | $62,970 | $-19,340 |
| 75th Percentile | $52,560 | $81,900 | $-29,340 |
| 90th Percentile | $63,840 | $105,150 | $-41,310 |
| Mean (Average) | $45,470 | $69,940 | $-24,470 |
Employment Numbers
Office Clerks, General
2,510,550
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Office Clerks, General
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $58,920 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $56,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $55,790 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $53,640 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $51,270 |
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: Office Clerks, General or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $19,340 (44.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General salaries range from $29,120 (10th percentile) to $63,840 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,630.
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 Office Clerks, General and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 2,510,550 Office Clerks, General 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 Office Clerks, General?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Office Clerks, General has a median salary of $43,630 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