Pipefitting is one of the highest-paid trades in the UA, especially for those willing to do industrial and travel work in power plants, refineries, and chemical facilities. Here's how to get into it.
Pay: $75,000–$130,000+ | Training: 4–5 year apprenticeship (paid) | Union: UA | Requirement: 18+, HS diploma/GED
Pipefitters install and maintain high-pressure piping systems that carry steam, chemicals, gases, and process fluids — primarily in industrial settings like power plants, refineries, chemical plants, and manufacturing facilities. The work involves precise measurement, cutting, threading, welding, and fitting of pipe, often to exacting specifications and under serious safety requirements.
They're related UA trades but different. Plumbers handle water, gas, and drainage in buildings. Pipefitters handle high-pressure industrial process piping. Pipefitting tends to be more industrial, more travel-heavy, and often higher-paid, especially during plant turnarounds and big industrial projects where overtime piles up.
The path is a UA (United Association) apprenticeship — a 4–5 year paid program combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Apply at your local UA hall. You'll learn pipe systems, welding, rigging, and blueprint reading, progressing through wage steps to journeyman.
| Stage | Typical Pay |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | $18–$26/hr |
| Journeyman | $30–$50/hr |
| Industrial / travel + OT | $75k–$130k+ |
Plumbers work on water, gas, and drainage in buildings; pipefitters work on high-pressure industrial piping in plants and refineries. Pipefitting is more industrial and often higher-paid.
Apprentices start around $18–$26/hr, journeymen $30–$50/hr, and experienced industrial pipefitters $75,000 to $130,000+ with overtime.
Through a UA apprenticeship — a 4–5 year paid program. Apply at your local UA hall.
About this guide: Written by a working journeyman lineman and former gas fitter — IBEW, Class A CDL. Corrections welcome.
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