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

Skilled trades

Missouri employs 8,310 pipefitters, with a statewide median of $66,790 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Missouri licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pipefitters Earn in Missouri (May 2025)

Missouri median pay: $66,790 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $44,780
Experienced (75th percentile): $100,240
Top earners (90th percentile): $117,180
Employed in Missouri: 8,310
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

St. Louis metro: $77,000 (4,060 employed)
Kansas City metro: $76,150 (3,740 employed)
Joplin: $64,370 (180 employed)
Springfield: $61,410 (660 employed)
Columbia: $58,010 (310 employed)
Jefferson City: $49,560 (290 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Missouri

Prices in Missouri run about 9% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $66,790 median stretches to roughly $73,557 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Missouri (2024–2034)

Missouri is projected to grow pipefitters employment +1.8%, slower than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 640 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Missouri License and Certification Requirements

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

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

Training in Missouri

Contact UA Local 562 (St. Louis), Local 533 (Kansas City) 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 Missouri.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Missouri include:

Ranken Technical College — Certificate
St Charles Community College — Certificate
Three Rivers 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 Missouri?

The median wage for pipefitters in Missouri is $66,790 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $44,780, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $117,180. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

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

Which Missouri metros pay pipefitters the most?

Among Missouri metro areas, St. Louis metro leads at $77,000, followed by Kansas City metro ($76,150), Joplin ($64,370). 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 Missouri?

Real Missouri options include Ranken Technical College, St Charles Community College, Three Rivers College. Most pipefitters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Pipefitter a growing career in Missouri?

Missouri projects pipefitters employment to change +1.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 640 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), Missouri statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the No Missouri 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 Missouri wages · Missouri 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.