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Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in West Virginia

Thinking about a career as a Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in West Virginia? Here’s what the data says. Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.

What do Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Make in West Virginia?

For a plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters working in West Virginia, the typical annual salary is $49,630 per year (or roughly $23.86/hour).Pay can range from $35,260 at the 10th percentile to $81,360 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$35,260	$16.95
25th percentile	$42,700	$20.53
Median (50th)	$49,630	$23.86
75th percentile	$68,120	$32.75
90th percentile	$81,360	$39.12

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in West Virginia compared to the national average — is 0.90.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn a median of $78,994 per year ($37.98/hour), lower than the West Virginia median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 611,912 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters nationwide. In West Virginia alone, around 1,860 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 6,350 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.

Top West Virginia Metros for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

The largest metro-area employers of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in West Virginia.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	360	$51,690
Charleston, WV	280	$46,940
Morgantown, WV	160	$48,000
Wheeling, WV-OH	120	$68,120
Beckley, WV	100	$45,930
Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH	80	$61,980
Parkersburg-Vienna, WV	70	$51,470

Top States for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Employment

View the states that employ the most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work.

State	Number Employed
California	45,460
Texas	42,290
Florida	26,730
New York	22,630
Illinois	18,730
Massachusetts	15,670
Ohio	14,490
North Carolina	14,300
Pennsylvania	13,990
Virginia	13,190
Michigan	12,830
Arizona	12,330
Washington	12,210
Indiana	11,620
Maryland	11,490
Colorado	9,970
New Jersey	9,840
Wisconsin	9,120
Louisiana	9,040
Tennessee	8,810

Highest-Paying States for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

These states pay the most for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.

State	Annual Median Salary
Illinois	$96,200
Oregon	$93,110
Minnesota	$83,280
Massachusetts	$83,260
Alaska	$83,090
District of Columbia	$81,950
Washington	$79,070
Hawaii	$78,540
Wisconsin	$78,510
New York	$78,460

Skills

Key plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Top abilities for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches.
• Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing.
• Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
• Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.
• Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.
• Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.
• Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.
• Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures.
• Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
• Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.
• Direct helpers engaged in pipe cutting, preassembly, or installation of plumbing systems or components.
• Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.

Work Activities

• Getting Information
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Performing General Physical Activities
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Scheduling Work and Activities

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Intuit QuickBooks

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Programs that train for this career include:

• Plumbing & Water Supply

Related Careers

Careers similar to plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters include:

• Boilermakers
• Carpenters
• Construction Laborers
• Electricians
• Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
• Pipelayers

Also Known As

Aircraft Hydraulic Equipment Mechanic, Aircraft Hydraulic Mechanic, Aircraft Plumbing Mechanic, Commercial Plumber, Corrosion Control Fitter, Diesel Engine Pipefitter, Drain Cleaner, Drain Technician, Dry Docks Utility Systems Repair Operator, Equipment Service Associate (ESA), Fire Control System Installer, Fire Hydrant Mechanic, Fire Sprinkler Fitter, Fire Sprinkler Installer, Fire Sprinkler Service Technician.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 47-2152.00