How to Become a Pipefitter in Florida (2026)
Florida employs about 29,260 pipefitters earning a median $52,910 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pipefitters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Florida.
Compare Pipefitter Schools in Florida
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Myers Technical College | 79.7 | Contact school for pricing | $43,662 | 82% | Yes* | 85 mi |
| 2 | Traviss Technical College | 73.3 | Contact school for pricing | $38,755 | 86% | — | 26 mi |
| 3 | Indian River State College | 68.6 | Contact school for pricing | $47,615 | 44% | Yes* | 80 mi |
| 4 | Manatee Technical College | 62.2 | Contact school for pricing | $45,049 | 72% | — | 66 mi |
| 5 | Seminole State College of Florida | 61.8 | $3,122 - $14,281 | $52,407 | 42% | Yes* | 64 mi |
| 6 | Hillsborough Community College | 61.2 | Contact school for pricing | $49,784 | 34% | Yes* | 54 mi |
| 7 | Erwin Technical College | 60.6 | Contact school for pricing | $41,518 | 80% | — | 53 mi |
| 8 | Suncoast Technical College | 47.7 | Contact school for pricing | $40,433 | 51% | Yes* | 69 mi |
| 9 | Osceola Technical College | 43.3 | Contact school for pricing | $37,201 | 50% | — | 36 mi |
| 10 | Orange Technical College-West Campus | 43.2 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 73% | — | 48 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.
Florida employs approximately 29,260 pipefitters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $52,910 1. 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 Florida, 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 (Florida): $52,910 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Pipefitter in Florida
How to become a Pipefitter in Florida? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pipefitters in Florida.
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 Florida? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Florida is $52,910 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,940 and experienced professionals can earn $73,610 or more 1.
How to Become a Pipefitter in Florida
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Florida 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 Florida 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 Florida.
- Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Florida, 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 Florida
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Florida’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Florida Office of Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Florida Department of Education, Apprenticeship Division - Region 6
- Address: 1519 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, FL 32922
- Phone: (321) 433-7974
- Email: [email protected]
Pipefitter Wages by Metro Area in Florida
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Florida
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Florida vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | 5,930 | $57,760 | $57,830 | $40,360 | $75,010 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 4,180 | $52,000 | $55,600 | $41,610 | $66,830 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 4,040 | $55,380 | $55,990 | $39,900 | $72,950 |
| Jacksonville | 2,380 | $58,920 | $58,230 | $40,020 | $75,310 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | 1,950 | $51,690 | $54,480 | $36,670 | $67,590 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | 1,390 | $58,150 | $57,570 | $40,100 | $75,840 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | 940 | $59,780 | $58,690 | $41,800 | $73,820 |
| Naples-Marco Island | 810 | $57,830 | $57,780 | $38,880 | $76,640 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | 740 | $51,220 | $54,270 | $38,130 | $69,430 |
| Port St. Lucie | 730 | $50,990 | $55,280 | $39,320 | $74,090 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | 710 | $50,490 | $55,100 | $37,380 | $75,910 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | 650 | $49,670 | $53,590 | $37,810 | $69,390 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach | 510 | $47,800 | $49,630 | $32,000 | $69,700 |
| Gainesville | 490 | $51,600 | $51,200 | $31,750 | $67,200 |
| Tallahassee | 480 | $48,540 | $52,490 | $37,750 | $69,870 |
| Ocala | 420 | $49,910 | $53,110 | $37,520 | $70,790 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | 370 | $52,020 | $57,600 | $43,730 | $74,920 |
| Punta Gorda | 260 | $55,490 | $56,210 | $38,830 | $73,950 |
| Wildwood-The Villages | 230 | $50,140 | $53,000 | $38,200 | $72,560 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor | 210 | $55,900 | $58,390 | $39,740 | $76,270 |
| Homosassa Springs | 150 | $48,140 | $52,090 | $37,640 | $69,940 |
| Sebring | 70 | $50,650 | $51,810 | $37,420 | $61,350 |
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 Florida? Florida currently employs approximately 29,260 pipefitters 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Florida? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Florida. You can also contact the Florida Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do pipefitters earn in Florida compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Florida is $52,910, which is $10,060 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Florida Office of Apprenticeship: https://web02.fldoe.org/Apprenticeship/search.aspx ↩︎
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) |