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

Skilled trades

Pennsylvania employs 13,620 pipefitters, with a statewide median of $68,080 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Pennsylvania licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pipefitters Earn in Pennsylvania (May 2025)

Pennsylvania median pay: $68,080 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $46,770
Experienced (75th percentile): $91,820
Top earners (90th percentile): $134,110
Employed in Pennsylvania: 13,620
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Philadelphia metro: $74,860 (7,150 employed)
Harrisburg: $73,560 (950 employed)
Pittsburgh: $70,100 (2,910 employed)
Lehigh Valley: $64,940 (730 employed)
Lancaster: $61,950 (820 employed)
Scranton–Wilkes-Barre: $61,160 (450 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Pennsylvania

Prices in Pennsylvania run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $68,080 median stretches to roughly $69,754 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Pennsylvania (2024–2034)

Pennsylvania is projected to grow pipefitters employment +3.1%, slower than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,310 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Pennsylvania License and Certification Requirements

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

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

Training in Pennsylvania

Contact UA Local 420 (Philadelphia), Local 449 (Pittsburgh), Local 520 (Allentown) 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 Pennsylvania.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Pennsylvania include:

Berks Career & Technology Center — Certificate
Community College of Allegheny County — Certificate
Delaware County Community College — Certificate
Douglas Education Center — 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 Pennsylvania?

The median wage for pipefitters in Pennsylvania is $68,080 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,770, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $134,110. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

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

Which Pennsylvania metros pay pipefitters the most?

Among Pennsylvania metro areas, Philadelphia metro leads at $74,860, followed by Harrisburg ($73,560), Pittsburgh ($70,100). 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 Pennsylvania?

Real Pennsylvania options include Berks Career & Technology Center, Community College of Allegheny County, Delaware County Community College. Most pipefitters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Pipefitter a growing career in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania projects pipefitters employment to change +3.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,310 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), Pennsylvania statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the No Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania wages · Pennsylvania 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.