Pipefitter in Delaware: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Delaware employs 1,590 pipefitters, with a statewide median of $64,720 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Delaware licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pipefitters Earn in Delaware (May 2025)

Delaware median pay: $64,720 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $40,990
Experienced (75th percentile): $77,830
Top earners (90th percentile): $95,520
Employed in Delaware: 1,590
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for pipefitters in major Delaware markets:

Philadelphia: $74,860 (7,150 employed)
Dover: $58,410 (90 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Delaware

Prices in Delaware run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 99.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,720 median holds roughly its face value.

Job Outlook in Delaware (2024–2034)

Delaware is projected to grow pipefitters employment +12.8%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 170 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Delaware License and Certification Requirements

No separate pipefitter license; UA apprenticeship — regulated by the No standalone Delaware pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship (plumbing/HVAC scope via DPR).

Apply to a United Association (UA) local apprenticeship (~5 years, earn-while-you-learn).
Complete on-the-job training plus related instruction.
Note: plumbing and HVACR scope work is licensed by DPR.

Official requirements: No standalone Delaware pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship (plumbing/HVAC scope via DPR) →

Training in Delaware

High pay in industrial, mechanical, and HVAC piping. Delaware's chemical and refining sectors drive demand.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Delaware include:

Polytech Adult Education — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want strong union wages and enjoy precision mechanical work in industrial or commercial settings.

Think twice if: Industrial job sites, confined spaces, and working with high-pressure systems sound dangerous rather than interesting.

Why it's resilient: Pipefitters install and maintain high-pressure industrial piping systems — licensed work with safety-critical stakes in power plants, refineries, and commercial buildings.

First Steps

Contact UA (United Association) Local pipefitter apprenticeship programs in your area — separate from plumber apprenticeships.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do pipefitters make in Delaware?

The median wage for pipefitters in Delaware is $64,720 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $40,990, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $95,520. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Pipefitter in Delaware?

No separate pipefitter license; UA apprenticeship, overseen by the No standalone Delaware pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship (plumbing/HVAC scope via DPR). Apply to a United Association (UA) local apprenticeship (~5 years, earn-while-you-learn).

Is being a Pipefitter a good career in Delaware?

Pipefitters install and maintain high-pressure industrial piping systems — licensed work with safety-critical stakes in power plants, refineries, and commercial buildings.

Which Delaware metros pay pipefitters the most?

Among Delaware metro areas, Philadelphia leads at $74,860, followed by Dover ($58,410). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Pipefitter in Delaware?

Real Delaware options include Polytech Adult Education. Most pipefitters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Pipefitter a growing career in Delaware?

Delaware projects pipefitters employment to change +12.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 170 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Delaware statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the No standalone Delaware pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship (plumbing/HVAC scope via DPR) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Delaware wages · Delaware licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.