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

Skilled trades

Maryland employs 11,420 pipefitters, with a statewide median of $65,400 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Maryland licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pipefitters Earn in Maryland (May 2025)

Maryland median pay: $65,400 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $45,630
Experienced (75th percentile): $94,890
Top earners (90th percentile): $108,420
Employed in Maryland: 11,420
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Washington DC metro: $71,860 (9,420 employed)
Baltimore: $63,200 (5,220 employed)
Salisbury: $61,940 (330 employed)
Hagerstown: $55,130 (250 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Maryland

Prices in Maryland run about 5% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $65,400 median is worth closer to $62,286 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Maryland (2024–2034)

Maryland is projected to grow pipefitters employment +6.2%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,110 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Maryland License and Certification Requirements

UA Journeyman Pipefitter credential (no state license required) — regulated by the No Maryland state license required for pipefitters (UA journeyman card is the credential).

Maryland does not require an individual pipefitter state license. The standard path is a UA apprenticeship: 5 years, approximately 10,000 OJT hours covering industrial piping systems, rigging, welding, and process systems.
Complete UA apprenticeship training in pipe fabrication, steam systems, process piping (ASME B31.3), and OSHA 30 safety.
Apply through UA Local 5 (DC/Maryland Metro) or UA Local 486 (Baltimore/refrigeration) for apprenticeship. NIH Bethesda campus utilities, Johns Hopkins medical campus steam systems, pharmaceutical R&D facilities in Montgomery County, and Port of Baltimore industrial facilities are major pipefitter employers.

Official requirements: No Maryland state license required for pipefitters (UA journeyman card is the credential) →

Training in Maryland

UA Local 5 serves the DC Metro Maryland market and is one of the most active UA locals in the Mid-Atlantic. NIH's sprawling Bethesda campus has extensive utility infrastructure requiring pipefitter maintenance. AstraZeneca's Gaithersburg R&D campus and Emergent BioSolutions require GMP pharmaceutical piping work. Maryland DC Metro pipefitter wages are among the highest in the country.

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 Maryland?

The median wage for pipefitters in Maryland is $65,400 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $45,630, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $108,420. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

UA Journeyman Pipefitter credential (no state license required), overseen by the No Maryland state license required for pipefitters (UA journeyman card is the credential). Maryland does not require an individual pipefitter state license. The standard path is a UA apprenticeship: 5 years, approximately 10,000 OJT hours covering industrial piping systems, rigging, welding, and process systems.

Is being a Pipefitter a good career in Maryland?

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

Which Maryland metros pay pipefitters the most?

Among Maryland metro areas, Washington DC metro leads at $71,860, followed by Baltimore ($63,200), Salisbury ($61,940). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Is Pipefitter a growing career in Maryland?

Maryland projects pipefitters employment to change +6.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,110 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), Maryland statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the No Maryland state license required for pipefitters (UA journeyman card 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 Maryland wages · Maryland 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.