Steamfitter Career Guide

Do you like putting together the pieces of a puzzle? Are you practical, hands-on and looking for a career in a supportive working environment?

Well, look no further! A steamfitter is a specialist construction worker who installs and repairs the pipes that are designed for the flow of liquids (e.g., chemicals or fuels) and/or gases and steam at a high pressure. And, if you answered YES to the questions above, it may be the career for you!

To become a steamfitter, you must have a high school diploma. Then, you will then need to complete an apprenticeship and some exams.

Becoming a steamfitter involves a lot more than steam. Steamfitters are construction workers who assemble, install, maintain and repair pipes. Some of the pipes carry steam, but they can also carry chemicals, compressed air, liquids or fuel.

Fraser Sherman

Steamfitter Career Ratings

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Income

Career
Growth

Personal Growth

Contribution

Influence

Overview

What a steamfitter actually does

A steamfitter is a specialist construction worker who installs and repairs the pipes that are designed for the flow of liquids (e.g., chemicals or fuels) and/or gases and steam at a high pressure. They are crucial for the smooth and effective maintenance of many modern buildings. The typical duties and responsibilities of a steamfitter will vary depending on who they work for and the size of the organization they work for. However, when working as a steamfitter, you can expect that your main duties and responsibilities will include things such as:

Installing and maintaining the piping systems that carry chemicals, acids and gases
Operating equipment, such as hydraulic and pneumatic equipment
Servicing pumps
Making repairs to the piping systems where necessary
Following all health and safety protocol
Inspecting and testing systems
Providing cost estimates for the job
Installing and securing pipes (e.g. with clamps)
Reviewing blueprints to understand piping requirements
Collaborating with other workers (e.g. plumbers, painters) to produce finished constructions

Why they are needed

Steamfitters are specialized construction workers. The pipes they work with require special handling, as the substances in them are carried at such a high pressure. They are absolutely necessary for the safe completion of many infrastructures in manufacturing, commercial and industrial settings. Without steamfitters, the buildings needed to support the growth and development of society would not be possible.

Pros and cons of a career as a steamfitter

Pros:

Steamfitters can work in a number of industries (e.g., commercial, residential etc) and for companies of different sizes. Therefore, it is a career that offers many opportunities and great variety
Each day is different, as steamfitters will constantly be doing different jobs in different places
Each day, steamfitters get to meet lots of different people and work as part of a team
There are little educational requirements, making it an accessible career for many
There is great job security, as steamfitting cannot be outdated by technology

Cons:

There are occupational risks associated with being a steamfitter. For example, they work in many hazardous places with chemicals and gases that are being carried in high pressure
Steamfitters are often on call incase of emergencies. Which means that they may have to work long hours
It is a physically demanding jobs

Employability

Job market

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of steamfitters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations.

This growth is expected because the growing population is creating a demand for new construction, which will always require piping systems to be put in place. Furthermore, there will always be the need to maintain and repair pipe systems that are already in place.

It is important to note that, as with other construction trades, the employment opportunities for steamfitters will fluctuate with the economy. When there is an economic fall, overall construction levels decrease and therefore so do the number of jobs available. But, when there is a boom, the demand for experienced steamfitters will rise.

Career paths

To become a steamfitter, you will need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. After getting a high school diploma, most steamfitters learn the trade through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship. Typically, apprentices receive 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year. They will also receive some technical instruction, such as safety, local pipefitting codes and regulations, and blueprint reading. Apprenticeship programs are sponsored by unions, trade associations, and businesses. Most apprentices enter a program directly, but some start out as helpers or complete a pre-apprenticeship training programs in plumbing and other trades.

After completing an apprenticeship program and passing the required exams, steamfitters become ‘journey-level workers’, which means they are qualified to perform tasks independently.

Example Job Titles for Steamfitter

Below is a list of common job titles in the Steamfitter field. Click the links below for more information about these job titles, or view the next section for actual real-life job profiles.

Benefits & Conditions

Income and benefits

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for steamfitters was $55,160 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,690, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $97,170.

The top paying industry for steamfitters was the manufacturing industry, where the median annual salary was $57,150. This was followed by the government ($56,790), plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors ($54,760) and heavy and civil engineering construction ($52,820).

Autonomy and Flexibility

Like all construction trades, the level of autonomy and flexibility for a steamfitter will vary depending on the amount of experience they have. For instance, a steamfitter who has just began their apprenticeship training will have far less autonomy than a journey level steamfitter. Furthermore, steamfitters with 10 years experience will have more control over their decisions than a journey level steamfitter. Similarly, a self-employed/contractor pipefitter is likely to have more flexibility than those who work for a large company as they will be able to control who they work with and the hours they work.

Locations and commute

Zippia does not show the best locations for steamfitters specifically. However, according to Zippia, the best states to be a pipefitter, which is a trade very similar to steamfitters, based on average annual salary and number of jobs available, are:

Rhode Island, where the average annual salary is $58,854
South Dakota, , where the average annual salary is $47,220
Nevada, where the average annual salary is $55,594
Louisiana, where the average annual salary is $47,081
Iowa, where the average annual salary is $40,000

The worst states to be a pipefitter, according to Zippia, are South Carolina, West Virginia, Hawaii, Kentucky and Missouri.

Work environment

The largest employer of steamfitters in the United States was plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors, which employed 65% of all steam-fitters. 8% were self-employed workers, 4% worked in the heavy and civil engineering construction industry, 4% in manufacturing and a further 3% for the government.

The work of a steamfitter is physically demanding. There are risks involved too with being a steamfitter, as work will need to be performed on pipes that carry both liquids and gases. Steamfitters commonly perform their work outdoors or in uncomfortable conditions, such as basements or tight, cramped spaces like a crawlspace.

Career Satisfaction

Common Matching Personality Types

Which personalities tend to succeed and thrive in Steamfitter careers? Based on our research, there is a relatively strong positive correlation between the following personality types and Steamfitter career satisfaction. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t many exceptions, of course, but if you fit into one of the following personality types then we suggest you give strong consideration to a career in Steamfitter.

16 Types (Myers-Briggs)

None

Big Five (OCEAN)

None

DISC

None

Enneagram

None

Holland Codes (RIASEC)

Personality types

Like most construction trades, there has been no scientific exploration into exactly what personality types will make a successful steamfitter. However, the Myers Briggs personality type of ISTP, or otherwise known as ‘the craftsperson’, is likely to be a successful steamfitter. This is because these types are able to tackle problems in their immediate environmen and they enjoy building and fixing objects. ISTPs are typically very attentive to detail, independent, adaptable and self-directed, which are key skills for steamfitter.

Accomplishment and mastery

As steamfitters can learn advanced skills in a relatively short space of time, there is high skill accomplishment and mastery. With additional experience in the occupation, steamfitters may then have opportunities to advance to start their own business, which further increases the amount of accomplishment and mastery.

Meaning and contribution

As building cannot function without the correct pipe fittings to carry liquids and gasses at high pressure, the work of a steamfitter is incredibly meaningful for all of us. Their work makes a huge contribution to society, by aiding the development of the buildings we use for work, play and living. If you’re looking for a career with high levels of meaning, then you can use your steamfitter knowledge and skills to help build building in deprived areas!

Life fit

Steamfitters can work for themselves as independent contractors, for pipe fitting companies, in a factory or industrial setting, for gas companies, or they may be employed by construction companies or builders. Regardless of where they work, they tend to work full time hours. Sometimes, they may be on call for emergencies and have to work evenings and weekends.

Who will thrive in this career?

Like most construction trades, one of the most important things a steamfitter can be is to be physically fit and strong, as their work is physically demanding and involves carrying heavy materials and kneeling down for long periods of time. Those who work well as part of a team and communicate will with others are likely to thrive as steamfitter, as the work is often team focused and involves communicating with other construction workers (e.g., plumbers, welders, bricklayers) and clients. Similarly, those who can also work independently will thrive as a steamfitter. This is because steamfitters will also spend some time working alone and must be self-directed. Finally, the ability to pay attention to detail is essential, as a steamfitters will have to ensure all pipes are fitted and repaired correctly.

Who will struggle in this career?

You are are likely to struggle with working as a steamfitter if you are physically unfit, as this means you won’t be able to carry the heavy material that is required for the job. Similarly, if you prefer to do less practical work, then you may struggle as a steamfitter due to the hands-on nature of the work. Finally, those who do not want to work irregular and unpredictable hours may struggle with being a steamfitter, as they may have to be on call to answer emergencies.

Requirements

Quick Glance

Skills

Skills and talents

Steamfitters learn many of the skills they need on the job. However, it is also important to have skills such as:

Physical fitness and stamina, as steamfitters will spend a lot of their working day lifting heavy pipes and and kneeling down
Communication skills are key as steamfitters need to be able to communicate with clients and other construction workers
Dexterity, as steamfitters need to be able to carefully and accurately move pipes and other materials
Detail orientation, as steamfitters must follow blueprints and instructions precisely and ensure they finish their work to the highest of standards
Critical thinking, as steamfitters must be able to problem-solve when issues arise in a project. This may be when pipes become faulty and roofers must figure out how to fix them, or when a project overruns.

Education

After completing an apprenticeship program and passing the required exams, steamfitters become ‘journey-level workers’, which means they are qualified to perform tasks independently.

Certifications

Some states require steamfitters to be licensed and they may also require a special license to work on gas lines. Licensing typically requires an exam or work experience or both. Contact your state’s licensing board for more information.

How to Become

Summary

Immediate action

As with all building trades, the more experience, the better. Therefore, if becoming a steamfitter sounds like something you would like to do, we recommend trying to get some general construction work to gather some experience. We also advise finding local apprenticeship programs.

Education and learning

Steamfitters must have a high school diploma. They will then need to complete an apprenticeship and some exams before they are allowed to practice.

Skill development

Steamfitters learn all their skills through an apprenticeship, where they receive on the job training and instruction. They can develop their skills further with more experience and take additional courses to become specialized.

FAQs

Ask a Question

Have a question about Steamfitter careers? If so, our mentors would love to help! Just click on a mentor’s profile below and then fill out the “Ask a Question” form on that page. Your question will then be emailed to the mentor, who can then email you a reply.

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