Pipefitter in New Jersey: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

New Jersey employs 8,750 pipefitters, with a statewide median of $78,240 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Jersey licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pipefitters Earn in New Jersey (May 2025)

New Jersey median pay: $78,240 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,720
Experienced (75th percentile): $106,830
Top earners (90th percentile): $136,710
Employed in New Jersey: 8,750
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

New York–Newark: $78,610 (21,040 employed)
Trenton–Princeton: $76,360 (280 employed)
Philadelphia: $74,860 (7,150 employed)
Allentown–Bethlehem: $64,940 (730 employed)
Atlantic City: $64,220 (530 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in New Jersey

Prices in New Jersey run about 9% above the national average (cost-of-living index 108.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $78,240 median is worth closer to $71,912 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New Jersey (2024–2034)

New Jersey is projected to grow pipefitters employment +7.0%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 980 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New Jersey License and Certification Requirements

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

New Jersey 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 New Jersey state individual pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship is the credential →

Training in New Jersey

Contact UA Local 9 (NJ/NYC metro), Local 274 (Camden/South NJ) 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 New Jersey.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New Jersey include:

Adult and Continuing Education-BCTS — Certificate
Hohokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences — Certificate
Ocean County Vocational-Technical School — Certificate
Passaic 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 New Jersey?

The median wage for pipefitters in New Jersey is $78,240 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,720, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $136,710. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

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

Which New Jersey metros pay pipefitters the most?

Among New Jersey metro areas, New York–Newark leads at $78,610, followed by Trenton–Princeton ($76,360), Philadelphia ($74,860). 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 New Jersey?

Real New Jersey options include Adult and Continuing Education-BCTS, Hohokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences, Ocean County Vocational-Technical School. Most pipefitters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Pipefitter a growing career in New Jersey?

New Jersey projects pipefitters employment to change +7.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 980 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), New Jersey statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the No New Jersey 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 New Jersey wages · New Jersey 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.