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Pipefitter Salary in Columbia, SC

U.S. median $62,970/yr ($30.27/hr)

Pipefitter pay in Columbia, South Carolina moves with the local mix of industrial plants, union presence, and cost of living. Here is what the live job market is paying right now.

Checking live local pay...

National benchmarks

Median$62,970/yr ($30.27/hr)
Hourly range$19.55 to $50.55/hr
Bottom 10%under $40,670/yr
Top 10%over $105,150/yr

Local pay in Columbia moves with cost of living, union presence, and demand. The live figure above reflects what Columbia employers are posting right now.

Pay by experience

Apprentice / Entry (years 1-5)UA apprentices begin near 50 to 55% of journeyman scale with full benefits from day one and step up twice a year over a 5-year, 10,000-hour program. No debt and no degree. The BLS bottom 10% earn under $40,670.$18 to $25/hr to start, roughly $38,000 to $55,000/yr rising each year
Journeyman (fully certified)A journeyman card puts you around the national median of $62,970 (May 2024) and up toward the 75th percentile near $78,000. Union journeyman base scale often runs $40 to $56/hr before benefits.$30 to $45/hr, about $62,970 to $78,000/yr
Experienced / Certified welder / SpecialistThe top 10% of the trade earn over $105,150 (BLS). Certified pipe welders on industrial turnarounds routinely clear six figures once overtime and per diem stack up.$45 to $60+/hr, about $90,000 to $140,000/yr with overtime and per diem
Foreman / General Foreman / ContractorForemen and general foremen earn a supervisory bump over scale plus steadier hours. Fitters who get licensed and start their own contracting business have no real ceiling.Journeyman scale plus a $2 to $5+/hr premium; owners uncapped

Pipefitter jobs in Columbia

See Pipefitter jobs hiring in Columbia with pay shown upfront.

Pipefitter pay in nearby cities

Charleston, SC

Pipefitter pay in Columbia: FAQs

How much do pipefitters make?

As of May 2024, the BLS median for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $62,970 a year, or $30.27 an hour. The lowest 10% earned under $40,670 and the highest 10% earned over $105,150. Because so much pipefitting is industrial, experienced fitters often sit in the upper half of that range.

Do pipefitters make good money?

Yes. The median beats the median for all U.S. jobs, and there is no college debt to pay off. Union and industrial fitters commonly earn $90,000 to $140,000 a year once overtime and per diem are counted.

How much do pipefitters make per hour?

The national median is $30.27/hr (May 2024). Apprentice pay starts around $18 to $25/hr, the 10th percentile is about $19.55, and the 90th percentile is about $50.55. Union journeyman base scale often runs $40 to $56/hr before benefits.

Can you make $100,000 as a pipefitter?

Yes. The top 10% of the trade already earns over $105,150 a year. Certified pipe welders on Gulf Coast turnarounds, and union fitters working steady overtime with per diem, regularly clear six figures.

What are the highest-paying pipefitter jobs?

Certified welding, industrial and petrochemical work, and traveling turnaround jobs with per diem pay the most. Illinois is the top-paying state at about $98,370 mean, and the Gulf Coast and Chicago are the strongest metro markets.