Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Transit and Railroad Police: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Transit and Railroad Police professionals earn $19,350 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 30.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $105,150 compared to $141,870 for Transit and Railroad Police.
Salary Range Comparison
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
Transit and Railroad Police$58,370 – $141,870
$40,670$141,870
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Transit and Railroad Police | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $40,670 | $58,370 | $-17,700 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,860 | $65,920 | $-17,060 |
| Median (50th) | $62,970 | $82,320 | $-19,350 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,900 | $114,040 | $-32,140 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,150 | $141,870 | $-36,720 |
| Mean (Average) | $69,940 | $91,820 | $-21,880 |
Employment Numbers
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Transit and Railroad Police
3,000
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 Transit and Railroad Police
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $108,490 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $91,930 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $89,220 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $86,650 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Transit and Railroad Police?
Transit and Railroad Police professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $19,350 (30.7% 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 Transit and Railroad Police?
Transit and Railroad Police salaries range from $58,370 (10th percentile) to $141,870 (90th percentile), with a median of $82,320.
How many Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters and Transit and Railroad Police jobs are there?
There are approximately 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions and 3,000 Transit and Railroad Police positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Transit and Railroad Police 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 Transit and Railroad Police earns $82,320. 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