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Pipefitter, Sr. Salary in the United States

How much does a Pipefitter, Sr. make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pipefitter, Sr. in the United States is $80,349 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

However, a Pipefitter, Sr.'s salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $106,921
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,573 to $94,258
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,493
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Pipefitter, Sr. Salaries

A Pipefitter, Sr.'s salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Pipefitter, Sr. Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Pipefitter, Sr.'s salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $77,796
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $78,376
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $81,387
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $85,539
  • Expert (over 8 years): $86,577
Levels Salary
Entry Level Pipefitter, Sr.$77,796
Intermediate Level Pipefitter, Sr.$78,376
Senior Level Pipefitter, Sr.$81,387
Specialist Level Pipefitter, Sr.$85,539
Expert Level Pipefitter, Sr.$86,577
View as Graph

How Do Pipefitter, Sr. Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Pipefitter, Sr.s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $88,962.
  • California: $88,625.
  • Massachusetts: $87,444.

Top Paying Cities for Pipefitter, Sr.s

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $101,344
  • San Francisco: $100,235
  • Oakland: $98,122

What Skills Can Increase a Pipefitter, Sr.'s Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 5.41% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Plumbing (Mentioned in 5.61% Job Postings): Plumbing is any system that conveys fluids for a wide range of applications. Plumbing uses pipes, valves, plumbing fixtures, tanks, and other apparatuses to convey fluids. Heating and cooling (HVAC), waste removal, and potable water delivery are among the most common uses for plumbing, but it is not limited to these applications. The word derives from the Latin for lead, plumbum, as the first effective pipes used in the Roman era were lead pipes. In the developed world, plumbing infrastructure is critical to public health and sanitation. Boilermakers and pipefitters are not plumbers although they work with piping as part of their trade and their work can include some plumbing.
  • Preventive Maintenance (Mentioned in 1.67% Job Postings): Preventive maintenance is the act of performing regularly scheduled maintenance activities to help prevent unexpected failures in the future. Put simply, it's about fixing things before they break.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 5.41%
Plumbing 5.61%
Preventive Maintenance 1.67%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Pipefitter, Sr.'s salary.

  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management $94,008
17%
Scheduling $88,384
10%
Analysis $88,384
10%
Get Latest Data

Pipefitter, Sr. Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Pipefitter, Sr. salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $88,883. While startup companies pay approximate $75,271.

Pipefitter, Sr. Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $75,271
Growth Stage 51~500 $79,578
Established 501~5000 $85,853
Enterprise 5000+ $88,883

Pipefitter, Sr. Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Pipefitter, Sr. roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Retail & Wholesale sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Pipefitter, Sr. positions in Software & Networking or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Pipefitter, Sr. as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Pipefitter, Sr.

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$104,454$50.030%
Retail & Wholesale$100,436$48.025%
Biotechnology$96,419$46.020%
MFG Durable$92,401$44.015%
Construction$88,384$42.010%

How Education impacts a Pipefitter, Sr.'s Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Pipefitter, Sr. enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Pipefitter, Sr. with a Bachelor's Degree is between $74,950 and $81,130.

Pipefitter, Sr. Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Pipefitter, Sr.
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 80.8%
High School 80.8%
Associates 15.4%
Bachelors 3.8%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Pipefitter, Sr. Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Pipefitter, Sr.'s annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$72,573
Average $80,349/year
$94,258
$6,048
Average $6,696/month
$7,855
$1,396
Average $1,545/week
$1,813
$35
Average $39/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $94,258 $7,855 $1,813 $45
Average $80,349 $6,696 $1,545 $39
25th Percentile $72,573 $6,048 $1,396 $35

Most common benefits for Pipefitter, Sr.

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Pipefitter, Sr.

Here are companies hiring for Pipefitter, Sr. and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Pipefitter, Sr.

1. Where can a Pipefitter, Sr. earn the most?

A Pipefitter, Sr.'s earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Pipefitter, Sr. earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Pipefitter, Sr. is $101,344.

2. What is the highest pay for Pipefitter, Sr.?

The highest pay for Pipefitter, Sr. is $106,921.

3. What is the lowest pay for Pipefitter, Sr.?

The lowest pay for Pipefitter, Sr. is $65,493.

4. What are the responsibilities of Pipefitter, Sr.?

Assembles, maintains, and repairs various types of pipes and piping systems. Follows blueprints and instructions to assemble and repair piping systems and ensure proper use, placement, and alignment. Conducts services in compliance with all safety and quality standards. Evaluates, identifies, and prepares the parts and equipment needed to perform services. Documents and records service details, dates, specifications, and processes for future reference and maintenance. Maintains knowledge and expertise in various piping applications including HVAC, water and steam heating, high and low pressure systems, and industrial refrigeration. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Pipefitter, Sr.?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Pipefitter, Sr. roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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