Welding and plumbing both build and repair the systems that buildings and factories depend on, and pipefitters often weld. But the occupations differ sharply in where people work, how they train, how they are licensed and what the national data show about pay and growth. This comparison uses the same BLS reference periods for both groups. It is not a ranking.
| Question | Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters |
|---|---|---|
| Jobs in 2025 | About 437,700 | About 510,600 |
| Largest employer type | Manufacturing (63%) | Plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors (65%) |
| Typical entry | High school diploma; employers often prefer technical training; several months on the job | High school diploma, then an apprenticeship of 4–5 years |
| Credentials | Employer-required certification is common (for example AWS); some states or localities license welders | Most states and some localities license plumbers; master and contractor levels in many states |
| Median annual wage | $53,750 | $63,800 |
| Lowest 10% / highest 10% | Under $39,240 / over $77,530 | Under $44,150 / over $108,420 |
| Projected growth, 2025–2035 | 2% (about 10,300 jobs) | 7% (about 34,500 jobs) |
| Openings per year (average) | About 40,300 | About 42,000 |
| Work pattern | Shift work in plants (8–12 hour shifts), field work outdoors | Jobsite travel; nights, weekends and on-call emergencies |
Both wage series exclude self-employed workers and combine several specialties, so neither is a starting wage.
Day-to-day work
Most welders work in manufacturing, joining parts to specification in a shop or plant, often on fixed shifts. Field and construction welding exists too, with outdoor work and heights. Plumbers mostly work for contractors, moving between homes and buildings to install systems or fix problems; service plumbing includes emergencies. Pipefitters and steamfitters sit between the two: industrial piping in plants and large buildings, where welding skills can be required.
Training time and cost
Welding offers a shorter entry: many employers hire people with a technical course and train them for several months. That can mean a smaller up-front time commitment, but tuition at a private school can be significant, so get the full written price. Plumbing usually means a four- or five-year apprenticeship with paid work and classroom instruction; you earn from the start but commit to a long program and must be selected. Use the cost and payback calculator with real figures for both.
Credentials
Welding credentials are mostly certifications demonstrated by a test weld for a specific process, position and material, such as the AWS Certified Welder tests; some employers pay for them. Plumbing credentials are mostly government licenses: a journey-level license after two to five years of experience and an exam in many states, then master and contractor levels, sometimes a separate gas license.
Pay and demand
On the national data, plumbing has the higher median ($63,800 vs. $53,750) and a much higher top tenth, and it is projected to grow faster (7% vs. 2%). Welding still has about 40,300 openings a year because of retirements and turnover, and specialized welding can pay more than the median. Both are sensitive to local industry: a region with large manufacturers or industrial construction may have strong welding demand even when the national projection is flat.
A combined route
If industrial work appeals to you, look at pipefitting and steamfitting apprenticeships, which can combine piping and welding skills. Ask sponsors whether welding coursework is required before you apply.
How to decide
- List the largest manufacturers and mechanical contractors within reach and check which ones hire trainees.
- Request a written price and schedule from one welding program and the next application window from one plumbing or pipefitting sponsor.
- Ask whether a welding test or a state license is the real hiring requirement locally.
- Compare the shift pattern or on-call expectations with your own constraints.
Common questions
Which is quicker to get into? Welding usually has the shorter entry: a technical course plus several months of on-the-job training. Plumbing usually requires selection into a four- or five-year apprenticeship, but it is paid while you train.
Is welding being automated? BLS says automation in manufacturing may limit overall demand for welders. Many openings will still come from replacing workers who leave the occupation.
Do plumbers weld? Pipefitters and steamfitters often need welding skills, and some fitter apprenticeships require welding courses. Residential plumbing relies more on soldering, press-fit and plastic piping methods.
Related guides
Sources & verification
Sources checked October 20, 2026. Statistical reference dates are stated separately. Official application rules may change.