How to Become a Pipefitter in Louisiana (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Louisiana employs about 8,360 pipefitters earning a median $63,680 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pipefitters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Louisiana.

Compare Pipefitter Schools in Louisiana

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
161.5Contact school for pricing$45,937Not reportedYes*272 mi
257.2Contact school for pricing$31,056Not reported—277 mi
356.4Contact school for pricing$46,119Not reportedYes*142 mi
455.8Contact school for pricing$44,26626%Yes*256 mi
554.8$2,490 - $21,293$52,80932%Yes*220 mi
653.6Contact school for pricing$40,042Not reportedYes*118 mi
753.0Contact school for pricing$33,96430%Yes*243 mi
851.9Contact school for pricing$55,09421%Yes*323 mi
949.8Contact school for pricing$60,488Not reportedYes*99 mi
1048.0Contact school for pricing$59,945Not reportedYes*154 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.

Louisiana employs approximately 8,360 pipefitters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $63,680 1. The state’s concentration of pipefitter jobs is 1.44x 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 Louisiana, 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 (Louisiana): $63,680 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pipefitter in Louisiana

How to become a Pipefitter in Louisiana? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pipefitters in Louisiana.

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 Louisiana? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Louisiana is $63,680 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,120 and experienced professionals can earn $79,540 or more 1.

How to Become a Pipefitter in Louisiana

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Louisiana training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Louisiana that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in Louisiana.
  4. Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Louisiana, 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 Louisiana

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Louisiana’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Louisiana Registered Apprenticeship Division 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Louisiana Workforce Commission, Apprenticeship
  • Address: 1001 N. 23rd Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
  • Phone: (225) 342-7820
  • Email: [email protected]

Pipefitter Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Louisiana vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Baton Rouge2,790$74,240$69,930$49,920$81,060
New Orleans-Metairie1,510$62,450$62,920$39,220$79,690
Lafayette680$57,930$55,690$35,880$74,790
Shreveport-Bossier City680$59,720$57,710$36,830$77,220
Lake Charles560$67,990$65,620$45,700$80,640
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux460$55,240$54,080$37,750$71,400
Slidell-Mandeville-Covington340$58,750$57,730$32,030$82,170
Monroe240$55,670$54,160$32,830$74,970
Alexandria160$57,470$55,860$35,360$76,120
Hammond110$57,910$57,960$30,160$76,930

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 Louisiana? Louisiana currently employs approximately 8,360 pipefitters 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Louisiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Louisiana. You can also contact the Louisiana Registered Apprenticeship Division for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do pipefitters earn in Louisiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Louisiana is $63,680, which is $710 above the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.

In Louisiana

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Louisiana Registered Apprenticeship Division: http://www.laworks.net/ORS_websponsorsearch.asp ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)