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

Skilled trades

Michigan employs 14,120 pipefitters, with a statewide median of $80,190 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Michigan licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pipefitters Earn in Michigan (May 2025)

Michigan median pay: $80,190 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $46,560
Experienced (75th percentile): $95,390
Top earners (90th percentile): $103,430
Employed in Michigan: 14,120
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Kalamazoo: $90,730 (870 employed)
Detroit: $86,370 (5,520 employed)
Flint: $80,510 (790 employed)
Grand Rapids: $80,440 (2,270 employed)
Saginaw: $80,440 (260 employed)
Ann Arbor: $78,210 (420 employed)
Lansing: $78,190 (650 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Michigan

Prices in Michigan run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 96.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $80,190 median stretches to roughly $83,358 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Michigan (2024–2034)

Michigan is projected to grow pipefitters employment +2.1%, slower than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,150 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Michigan License and Certification Requirements

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

Michigan 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 Michigan state individual pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship is the credential →

Training in Michigan

Contact UA Local 190 (Detroit), Local 333 (Flint/Saginaw), Local 174 (Grand Rapids) 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 Michigan.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Michigan include:

Delta College — Certificate / Associate
Henry Ford College — Certificate / Associate
Kellogg Community College — Certificate / Associate
Macomb 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 Michigan?

The median wage for pipefitters in Michigan is $80,190 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,560, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $103,430. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

UA Journeyman Pipefitter/Steamfitter (apprenticeship credential), overseen by the No Michigan state individual pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship is the credential. Michigan 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 Michigan?

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

Which Michigan metros pay pipefitters the most?

Among Michigan metro areas, Kalamazoo leads at $90,730, followed by Detroit ($86,370), Flint ($80,510). 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 Michigan?

Real Michigan options include Delta College, Henry Ford College, Kellogg Community College. Most pipefitters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Pipefitter a growing career in Michigan?

Michigan projects pipefitters employment to change +2.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,150 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), Michigan statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the No Michigan 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 Michigan wages · Michigan 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.