Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Training and Development Specialists professionals earn $2,880 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 4.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $105,150 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$37,510$120,190
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $40,670 | $37,510 | +$3,160 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,860 | $48,900 | $-40 |
| Median (50th) | $62,970 | $65,850 | $-2,880 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,900 | $91,550 | $-9,650 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,150 | $120,190 | $-15,040 |
| Mean (Average) | $69,940 | $73,760 | $-3,820 |
Employment Numbers
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
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 Training and Development Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,710 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $92,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,330 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $79,210 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Training and Development Specialists?
Training and Development Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $2,880 (4.6% 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 Training and Development Specialists?
Training and Development Specialists salaries range from $37,510 (10th percentile) to $120,190 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,850.
How many Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions and 436,610 Training and Development Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Training and Development Specialists 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 Training and Development Specialists earns $65,850. 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