Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Sheet Metal Workers: $42K vs $62K Median Pay

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Sheet Metal Workers: what changes?

Consider Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters if you want to help plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, or pipelayers by performing duties requiring less skill. Consider Sheet Metal Workers if you would rather fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Both list high school diploma or equivalent; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters and Sheet Metal Workers. 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

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

National median pay (2025): $42,360
Route into the job: High school diploma or equivalent; One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate: Measure, cut, thread and assemble new pipe, placing the assembled pipe in hangers or other supports.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 4,400

Know before you choose

The job can require working in cramped or physically awkward positions for meaningful stretches of time.

See the full Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters brief

Sheet Metal Workers

National median pay (2025): $61,800
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: Maintain equipment, making repairs or modifications when necessary.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 9,800

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 Sheet Metal Workers brief

How the national numbers differ

Sheet Metal Workers has the edge on median pay

Sheet Metal Workers is at $61,800, compared with $42,360 for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.

Sheet Metal Workers has the edge on annual openings

Sheet Metal Workers is at 9,800 annual openings, compared with 4,400 annual openings for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.

Sheet Metal Workers has the edge on projected growth

Sheet Metal Workers is at 2.5% projected growth, compared with 2.4% projected growth for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.

42.3/ 100

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

58.1/ 100

Sheet Metal Workers

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

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Sheet Metal Workers

Dimension	Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	Sheet Metal Workers
Median pay (2025)	$42,360	$61,800
Pay percentile	14.3 percentile	51 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	2.4%	2.5%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	4,400	9,800
2025 employment	45,300	131,100
How you qualify	High school diploma or equivalent; One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing	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 2	Job Zone 2
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.	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 Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters brief Read Sheet Metal Workers brief

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Sheet Metal Workers: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Sheet Metal Workers

How the national numbers differ

Sheet Metal Workers has the edge on median pay

Sheet Metal Workers has the edge on annual openings

Sheet Metal Workers has the edge on projected growth

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Sheet Metal Workers

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