Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters - 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.
The national average annual salary for this occupation is $50,360 per year. Nationally, the average hourly wage for this occupation is $24.21. The average wage in New Mexico is well below the national average. In New Mexico, the average hourly wage is $20.03 and most workers in this occupation earn between $13.37 and $23.36 per hour.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| Area | Entry Wage | Average Wage | Experienced Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Annual | $50,360 | ||
| National Hourly | $24.21 | ||
| Statewide Annual | $27,808 | $41,663 | $48,591 |
| Statewide Hourly | $13.37 | $20.03 | $23.36 |
| Metro Areas | |||
| Albuquerque Annual | $29,766 | $44,742 | $52,229 |
| Hourly | $14.31 | $21.51 | $25.11 |
| Farmington Annual | $35,758 | $49,840 | $56,881 |
| Hourly | $17.19 | $23.96 | $27.35 |
| Las Cruces Annual | $28,605 | $38,991 | $44,184 |
| Hourly | $13.75 | $18.75 | $21.24 |
| Santa Fe Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Regions | |||
| Central Annual | $29,766 | $44,742 | $52,229 |
| Hourly | $14.31 | $21.51 | $25.11 |
| Eastern Annual | $24,042 | $35,522 | $41,262 |
| Hourly | $11.56 | $17.08 | $19.84 |
| Northern Annual | $29,325 | $43,144 | $50,054 |
| Hourly | $14.10 | $20.74 | $24.06 |
| Southwestern Annual | $27,801 | $37,995 | $43,092 |
| Hourly | $13.37 | $18.27 | $20.72 |
A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
For more detailed information about New Mexico wages visit the Occupational Employment Statistics program website.
Information displayed represents annual 2010 wages.
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New Mexico
2008 to 2018
In 2008 there were about 3,760 workers in this occupation in New Mexico. The Department of Workforce Solutions estimates that by 2018 this number will increase by about 16 percent and an estmated 4,360 will be employed in this occupation. Compared to other occupations, employment growth in this occupation is growing more slowly than the average. Job opportunities are good or favorable, as there should be about 60 openings each year for workers in this occupation.
In the Table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas
| Area | Estimated Employment 2008 | Projected Employment 2018 | Annual Percent Change | Total Annual Average Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 3,760 | 4,360 | 1.49% | 60 |
| + Metro Areas | ||||
| Albuquerque | 1,860 | 2,120 | 1.30% | 26 |
| Farmington | 260 | 300 | 1.53% | 4 |
| Las Cruces | 170 | 190 | 1.57% | 3 |
| Santa Fe | 210 | 230 | 0.93% | 2 |
| + Regions | ||||
| Central | 1,860 | 2,120 | 1.30% | 26 |
| Eastern | 720 | 840 | 1.45% | 11 |
| Northern | 930 | 1,070 | 1.42% | 14 |
| Southwestern | 210 | 270 | 2.51% | 6 |
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters usually need High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate).
| Education Level | Percentage |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate) | 75% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades) | 21% |
| Some College Courses | 3% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 1% |
Information based on O*NET data and is the result of a national survey.
Use this list to find educational opportunities for this occupation. Contact the specific schools directly to find out application requirements and program availability.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| + American Fire Sprinkler Assoc. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Apprenticeship completers | Pipefitting/Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter (NEW) | |
| + Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc. | ||
| Website:http://www.abcnm.org/Education/Apprenticeship.aspx | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Apprenticeship completers | Pipefitting/Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter (NEW) | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Plumbing Technology/Plumber (NEW) | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Mon | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/campus/montoya/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Plumbing Technology/Plumber (NEW) | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Sou | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/svc/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Plumbing Technology/Plumber (NEW) | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Wes | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/campus/westside/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Plumbing Technology/Plumber (NEW) | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Wo | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/campus/wtc/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Plumbing Technology/Plumber (NEW) | |
| + CY Cooper Co. | ||
| Website:http://www.cycooper.com/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Apprenticeship completers | Pipefitting/Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter (NEW) | |
| + New Mexico State University- Albuquerque | ||
| Website:http://abq.nmsu.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Pipefitting/Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter (NEW) | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Pipefitting/Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter (NEW) | |
| + Plumbing & Pipe Fitting Industry, JAC | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Apprenticeship completers | Pipefitting/Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter (NEW) | |
| + Southern NM Mechanical Contractors Assoc | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Apprenticeship completers | Plumbing Technology/Plumber (NEW) | |
This list is updated once a year and is compiled from the NM Department of Higher Education and other sources.
| License Title | Contact | Year | Number issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journeyman - Mechanical | Construction Industries Division Regulation and Licensing Department 2550 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 547-4700 www.rld.state.nm.us/CID/index.htm | 2010 |
Other available certificates or credentials may also be desirable. Additional local licenses or permits may be required, and individual businesses may have specific employment requirements. Licensing information is collected through a variety of New Mexico-based resources and does NOT include federal licensing requirements.
| Applied Mathematics | Applied Technology | Listening | Locating Information | Obersvation | Reading for Information | Teamwork | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
For further information on WorkKeys please visit the ACT-WorkKeys website. Skill levels are provided for individuals who know thier scores.
| Industry | Percent of Employed |
|---|---|
| Administrative and Support Services | * |
| Construction of Buildings | 10.8% |
| Educational Services | 0.6% |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | * |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 0.6% |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | * |
| Pipeline Transportation | * |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 0.6% |
| Self-Employed Workers, Primary Job | 11.8% |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 63.5% |
| Utilities | 1.0% |
* Data is confidential.
Source: NMDWS, Economic Research and Analysis Bureau
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