How to Become a Pipefitter in Arizona (2026)
Arizona employs about 11,810 pipefitters earning a median $62,070 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pipefitters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Arizona.
Compare Pipefitter Schools in Arizona
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rio Salado College | 60.8 | Contact school for pricing | $58,656 | 6% | Yes* | 70 mi |
| 2 | Dixie Technical College | 58.7 | Contact school for pricing | $46,064 | 80% | — | 336 mi |
| 3 | Yavapai College | 57.1 | $2,948 - $14,988 | $57,288 | 33% | Yes* | 149 mi |
| 4 | Mesa Community College | 54.1 | Contact school for pricing | $68,596 | 16% | Yes* | 64 mi |
| 5 | Pima Community College | 53.7 | Contact school for pricing | $50,345 | 25% | Yes* | 33 mi |
| 6 | Central New Mexico Community College | 51.8 | Contact school for pricing | $48,652 | 30% | Yes* | 308 mi |
| 7 | Arizona Western College | 51.2 | Contact school for pricing | $48,286 | 22% | Yes* | 194 mi |
| 8 | GateWay Community College | 49.9 | Contact school for pricing | $70,264 | 24% | Yes* | 84 mi |
| 9 | College of Southern Nevada | 46.6 | Contact school for pricing | $51,080 | 19% | Yes* | 334 mi |
| 10 | Navajo Technical University | 43.0 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 16% | Yes* | 270 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Arizona employs approximately 11,810 pipefitters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,070 1. The state’s concentration of pipefitter jobs is 1.22x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Pipefitter in Arizona, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Arizona): $62,070 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Pipefitter in Arizona
How to become a Pipefitter in Arizona? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pipefitters in Arizona.
How long does it take? Most paths into the pipefitter field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do pipefitters earn in Arizona? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Arizona is $62,070 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,640 and experienced professionals can earn $100,120 or more 1.
How to Become a Pipefitter in Arizona
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Arizona training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Arizona that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in Arizona.
- Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Arizona, and confirm contractor versus worker rules with the state before working unsupervised.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Pipefitter Apprenticeship Information in Arizona
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Arizona’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Arizona Department of Economic Security - Registered Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Arizona Apprenticeship Office Department of Economic Security
- Address: 1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007
- Phone: (602) 542-6013
- Email: [email protected]
Pipefitter Wages by Metro Area in Arizona
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Arizona
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Arizona vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | 9,270 | $63,750 | $70,620 | $46,530 | $100,710 |
| Tucson | 1,170 | $59,070 | $58,400 | $43,840 | $74,250 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott | 370 | $58,670 | $60,300 | $43,010 | $94,100 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | 210 | $58,520 | $58,190 | $40,450 | $90,940 |
| Yuma | 170 | $58,980 | $58,600 | $38,890 | $89,760 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas | 100 | $55,690 | $54,390 | $36,900 | $70,720 |
| Flagstaff | 90 | $58,520 | $59,640 | $46,000 | $76,130 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pipefitters in Arizona? Arizona currently employs approximately 11,810 pipefitters 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Arizona? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Arizona. You can also contact the Arizona Department of Economic Security - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do pipefitters earn in Arizona compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Arizona is $62,070, which is $900 below the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Arizona Department of Economic Security - Registered Apprenticeship: https://des.az.gov/sites/default/files/Registered-Apprenticeship-Program-List.pdf ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |