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

Skilled trades

Georgia employs 8,930 pipefitters, with a statewide median of $57,200 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Georgia licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pipefitters Earn in Georgia (May 2025)

Georgia median pay: $57,200 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $37,680
Experienced (75th percentile): $68,640
Top earners (90th percentile): $80,740
Employed in Georgia: 8,930
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Savannah: $60,530 (380 employed)
Atlanta metro: $58,380 (5,470 employed)
Augusta: $54,690 (540 employed)
Macon: $48,110 (170 employed)
Columbus: $47,410 (200 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Georgia

Prices in Georgia run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 96.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $57,200 median stretches to roughly $59,398 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Georgia (2024–2034)

Georgia is projected to grow pipefitters employment +10.1%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 760 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Georgia License and Certification Requirements

UA Journeyman Pipefitter/Steamfitter (apprenticeship credential) — regulated by the No Georgia state individual pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship is the credential.

Georgia does not issue an individual pipefitter or steamfitter mechanic license separate from the plumbing license. The entry path is a UA (United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters) Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) apprenticeship: 5 years, 10,000 OJT hours, covering piping systems, steam, hydronics, process piping, welding, and rigging.
Pipefitters specialize in high-pressure systems — steam, chemical process piping, HVAC hydronic distribution, and refrigeration piping — distinct from residential plumbing. Apprentices earn wages from day one at roughly 50% of journeyman scale, stepping up annually.
Apply to the local UA pipefitter/steamfitter JATC. Work sites include power plants, refineries, industrial plants, large commercial HVAC projects, and hospitals. Journeymen with welding certifications (ASME, AWS) command premium wages.

Official requirements: No Georgia state individual pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship is the credential →

Training in Georgia

Contact UA Local 72 (Atlanta), Local 421 (Savannah area) to apply for the pipefitter/steamfitter apprenticeship. Some states and cities (notably NYC and Chicago) have additional local licensing for steamfitters — check with your local JATC for any city-level requirements in Georgia.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Georgia include:

Albany Technical College — Certificate
Atlanta Technical College — Certificate
Central Georgia Technical College — Certificate
Georgia Piedmont Technical College — 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 Georgia?

The median wage for pipefitters in Georgia is $57,200 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,680, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $80,740. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

UA Journeyman Pipefitter/Steamfitter (apprenticeship credential), overseen by the No Georgia state individual pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship is the credential. Georgia does not issue an individual pipefitter or steamfitter mechanic license separate from the plumbing license. The entry path is a UA (United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters) Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) apprenticeship: 5 years, 10,000 OJT hours, covering piping systems, steam, hydronics, process piping, welding, and rigging.

Is being a Pipefitter a good career in Georgia?

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

Which Georgia metros pay pipefitters the most?

Among Georgia metro areas, Savannah leads at $60,530, followed by Atlanta metro ($58,380), Augusta ($54,690). 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 Georgia?

Real Georgia options include Albany Technical College, Atlanta Technical College, Central Georgia Technical College. Most pipefitters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Pipefitter a growing career in Georgia?

Georgia projects pipefitters employment to change +10.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 760 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), Georgia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the No Georgia state individual pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship is the credential (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 Georgia wages · Georgia 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.