How to Become a Pipefitter in New York (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

New York employs about 23,210 pipefitters earning a median $77,490 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pipefitters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in New York.

Compare Pipefitter Schools in New York

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
174.0Contact school for pricing$47,73995%—41 mi
267.5Contact school for pricing$37,62697%—49 mi
367.0Contact school for pricing$47,36581%—29 mi
465.4$8,772 - $26,944$56,92747%Yes*77 mi
559.6Contact school for pricing$41,84381%—28 mi
659.5Contact school for pricing$42,51068%—92 mi
759.1Contact school for pricing$46,91079%—41 mi
858.2Contact school for pricing$54,08877%—60 mi
948.9Contact school for pricing$43,44581%—92 mi
1047.5Contact school for pricing$46,86347%Yes*51 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.

New York employs approximately 23,210 pipefitters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $77,490 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 New York, 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 (New York): $77,490 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pipefitter in New York

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

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 New York? The median annual wage for pipefitters in New York is $77,490 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,130 and experienced professionals can earn $130,420 or more 1.

How to Become a Pipefitter in New York

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most New York 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 New York 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 New York.
  4. Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in New York, 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 New York

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. New York’s apprenticeship program is administered by the New York Office of Apprenticeship 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Apprenticeship Training Unit, New York State Department of Labor
  • Address: State Campus Building, Albany, NY 12240
  • Phone: (518) 457-4497
  • Email: [email protected]

Pipefitter Wages by Metro Area in New York

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in New York

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
New York-Newark-Jersey City21,040$78,610$90,820$47,870$145,480
Albany-Schenectady-Troy1,470$77,460$81,330$47,050$116,550
Rochester1,460$73,580$73,550$43,570$100,140
Buffalo-Cheektowaga1,430$72,230$73,700$40,300$104,040
Syracuse840$67,040$71,590$44,720$99,450
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh780$64,990$71,830$37,890$117,880
Binghamton280$87,990$83,040$45,820$120,910
Kingston180$70,190$79,840$43,880$130,810
Elmira140$64,680$73,740$45,100$119,150
Utica-Rome140$72,810$75,430$45,830$105,820
Glens Falls110$81,820$82,920$43,860$124,990
Watertown-Fort Drum100$61,490$74,000$39,230$141,800
Ithaca70$64,460$72,450$43,750$118,640

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 New York? New York currently employs approximately 23,210 pipefitters 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.

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

How much do pipefitters earn in New York compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pipefitters in New York is $77,490, which is $14,520 above the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.

In New York

Related trades & nearby areas

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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. New York Office of Apprenticeship: https://www.labor.ny.gov/apprenticeship/sponsor/index.shtm ↩︎

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)