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

Skilled trades

Texas employs 44,090 pipefitters, with a statewide median of $59,840 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Texas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pipefitters Earn in Texas (May 2025)

Texas median pay: $59,840 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $38,270
Experienced (75th percentile): $74,100
Top earners (90th percentile): $81,890
Employed in Texas: 44,090
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Austin: $62,810 (5,260 employed)
Houston: $61,300 (10,980 employed)
Dallas–Fort Worth: $61,250 (11,980 employed)
San Antonio: $58,180 (3,190 employed)
El Paso: $53,560 (640 employed)
McAllen: $46,110 (360 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Texas

Prices in Texas run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $59,840 median stretches to roughly $61,627 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Texas (2024–2034)

Texas is projected to grow pipefitters employment +8.9%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 4,220 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Texas License and Certification Requirements

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

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

Training in Texas

Contact UA Local 68 (Houston), Local 100 (Dallas), Local 529 (San Antonio) 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 Texas.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Texas include:

Brazosport College — Certificate
Collin County Community College District — Certificate / Associate
Lamar Institute of Technology — Certificate
Lee College — Certificate / Associate

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 Texas?

The median wage for pipefitters in Texas is $59,840 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,270, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $81,890. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

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

Which Texas metros pay pipefitters the most?

Among Texas metro areas, Austin leads at $62,810, followed by Houston ($61,300), Dallas–Fort Worth ($61,250). 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 Texas?

Real Texas options include Brazosport College, Collin County Community College District, Lamar Institute of Technology. Most pipefitters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Pipefitter a growing career in Texas?

Texas projects pipefitters employment to change +8.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 4,220 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), Texas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the No Texas 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 Texas wages · Texas 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.