First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers vs Plumber / Pipefitter: $80K vs $64K Median Pay

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers vs Plumber / Pipefitter: what changes?

Consider First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers if you want to directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers. Consider Plumber / Pipefitter if you would rather assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. Both list high school diploma or equivalent; compare training and prior experience separately. Prior experience in a related occupation is typically needed for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (5 years or more).

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers and Plumber / Pipefitter. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

National median pay (2025): $79,920
Route into the job: High school diploma or equivalent; Prior related experience: 5 years or more
Prior related experience: Prior related experience: 5 years or more.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Inspect work progress, equipment, or construction sites to verify safety or to ensure that specifications are met.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 67,000

Know before you choose

BLS lists 5 years or more of related experience. This is normally reached through feeder roles, not directly from school.

See the full First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers brief

Plumber / Pipefitter

National median pay (2025): $63,800
Route into the job: High school diploma or equivalent; Apprenticeship combines paid work and instruction; duration is not reported here. Check the full program and licensing requirements
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: Apprenticeship combines paid work and instruction; duration is not reported here. Check the full program and licensing requirements.
Work to investigate: Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 42,000

Know before you choose

The usual entry route includes an apprenticeship. Interest in the subject is not a substitute for supervised, paid training.

See the full Plumber / Pipefitter brief

How the national numbers differ

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers has the edge on median pay

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers is at $79,920, compared with $63,800 for Plumber / Pipefitter.

Plumber / Pipefitter has the edge on projected growth

Plumber / Pipefitter is at 6.8% projected growth, compared with 5% projected growth for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers.

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers has the edge on annual openings

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers is at 67,000 annual openings, compared with 42,000 annual openings for Plumber / Pipefitter.

74.2/ 100

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

70.4/ 100

Plumber / Pipefitter

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers vs Plumber / Pipefitter

Dimension	First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers	Plumber / Pipefitter
Median pay (2025)	$79,920	$63,800
Pay percentile	72.1 percentile	54.7 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	5%	6.8%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	67,000	42,000
2025 employment	913,300	510,600
How you qualify	High school diploma or equivalent; Prior related experience: 5 years or more	High school diploma or equivalent; Apprenticeship combines paid work and instruction; duration is not reported here. Check the full program and licensing requirements
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 3	Job Zone 3
Related work experience	Prior related experience: 5 years or more.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.	Apprenticeship combines paid work and instruction; duration is not reported here. Check the full program and licensing requirements.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers brief Read Plumber / Pipefitter brief

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers vs Plumber / Pipefitter: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

Plumber / Pipefitter

How the national numbers differ

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers has the edge on median pay

Plumber / Pipefitter has the edge on projected growth

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers has the edge on annual openings

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers vs Plumber / Pipefitter

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