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

Skilled trades

Kansas employs 4,590 pipefitters, with a statewide median of $65,220 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Kansas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pipefitters Earn in Kansas (May 2025)

Kansas median pay: $65,220 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $39,130
Experienced (75th percentile): $84,870
Top earners (90th percentile): $109,290
Employed in Kansas: 4,590
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Kansas City: $76,150 (3,740 employed)
Topeka: $75,090 (420 employed)
St. Joseph: $68,290 (200 employed)
Joplin: $64,370 (180 employed)
Wichita: $60,940 (1,060 employed)
Manhattan: $60,600 (200 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Kansas

Prices in Kansas run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $65,220 median stretches to roughly $72,386 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Kansas (2024–2034)

Kansas is projected to grow pipefitters employment +4.8%, about in line with the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 390 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Kansas License and Certification Requirements

No state pipefitter license; UA apprenticeship — regulated by the No standalone Kansas pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship (plumbing-scope work licensed locally).

Kansas has no separate license for industrial pipefitting.
Apply to a United Association (UA) local apprenticeship (~5 years, earn-while-you-learn).
Note: plumbing-scope piping work is licensed by local jurisdictions in Kansas.

Official requirements: No standalone Kansas pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship (plumbing-scope work licensed locally) →

Training in Kansas

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Kansas include:

Barton County Community College — Certificate
Butler Community College — Associate
Johnson County Community College — Certificate
Neosho County Community 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 Kansas?

The median wage for pipefitters in Kansas is $65,220 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $39,130, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $109,290. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

No state pipefitter license; UA apprenticeship, overseen by the No standalone Kansas pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship (plumbing-scope work licensed locally). Kansas has no separate license for industrial pipefitting.

Is being a Pipefitter a good career in Kansas?

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

Which Kansas metros pay pipefitters the most?

Among Kansas metro areas, Kansas City leads at $76,150, followed by Topeka ($75,090), St. Joseph ($68,290). 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 Kansas?

Real Kansas options include Barton County Community College, Butler Community College, Johnson County Community College. Most pipefitters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Pipefitter a growing career in Kansas?

Kansas projects pipefitters employment to change +4.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 390 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), Kansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the No standalone Kansas pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship (plumbing-scope work licensed locally) (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 Kansas wages · Kansas 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.