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

Skilled trades

Louisiana employs 8,360 pipefitters, with a statewide median of $63,680 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Louisiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pipefitters Earn in Louisiana (May 2025)

Louisiana median pay: $63,680 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $38,120
Experienced (75th percentile): $74,870
Top earners (90th percentile): $79,540
Employed in Louisiana: 8,360
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Baton Rouge: $74,240 (2,790 employed)
Lake Charles: $67,990 (560 employed)
New Orleans: $62,450 (1,510 employed)
Shreveport: $59,720 (680 employed)
Slidell: $58,750 (340 employed)
Lafayette: $57,930 (680 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Louisiana

Prices in Louisiana run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $63,680 median stretches to roughly $72,200 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Louisiana (2024–2034)

Louisiana is projected to grow pipefitters employment +5.9%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 900 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Louisiana License and Certification Requirements

No state pipefitter license; UA apprenticeship — regulated by the No standalone Louisiana pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship (plumbing-scope work falls under the State Plumbing Board).

Louisiana 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 falls under the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana.

Official requirements: No standalone Louisiana pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship (plumbing-scope work falls under the State Plumbing Board) →

Training in Louisiana

Among the best-paid trades in Louisiana thanks to the refining/petrochemical industry. Steady industrial and turnaround demand.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Louisiana include:

Baton Rouge Community College — Certificate
Central Louisiana Technical Community College — Certificate
Delgado Community College — Certificate
River Parishes 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 Louisiana?

The median wage for pipefitters in Louisiana is $63,680 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,120, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,540. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

No state pipefitter license; UA apprenticeship, overseen by the No standalone Louisiana pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship (plumbing-scope work falls under the State Plumbing Board). Louisiana has no separate license for industrial pipefitting.

Is being a Pipefitter a good career in Louisiana?

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

Which Louisiana metros pay pipefitters the most?

Among Louisiana metro areas, Baton Rouge leads at $74,240, followed by Lake Charles ($67,990), New Orleans ($62,450). 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 Louisiana?

Real Louisiana options include Baton Rouge Community College, Central Louisiana Technical Community College, Delgado Community College. Most pipefitters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Pipefitter a growing career in Louisiana?

Louisiana projects pipefitters employment to change +5.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 900 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), Louisiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the No standalone Louisiana pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship (plumbing-scope work falls under the State Plumbing Board) (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 Louisiana wages · Louisiana 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.