Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $70,110 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 111.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $105,150 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$40,670$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $40,670 | $79,850 | $-39,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,860 | $103,050 | $-54,190 |
| Median (50th) | $62,970 | $133,080 | $-70,110 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,900 | $169,000 | $-87,100 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,150 | $211,450 | $-106,300 |
| Mean (Average) | $69,940 | $144,570 | $-74,630 |
Employment Numbers
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $70,110 (111.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters has a median salary of $62,970 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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