How to Become a Pipefitter in North Carolina (2026)
North Carolina employs about 14,510 pipefitters earning a median $57,080 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pipefitters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in North Carolina.
Compare Pipefitter Schools in North Carolina
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton | 73.8 | Contact school for pricing | $40,444 | 80% | Yes* | 153 mi |
| 2 | Academy of Careers and Technology | 61.2 | Contact school for pricing | $42,573 | 79% | — | 180 mi |
| 3 | Cape Fear Community College | 57.9 | Contact school for pricing | $48,346 | Not reported | Yes* | 132 mi |
| 4 | Wake Technical Community College | 55.3 | Contact school for pricing | $49,034 | Not reported | Yes* | 61 mi |
| 5 | Forsyth Technical Community College | 52.9 | Contact school for pricing | $48,625 | 31% | Yes* | 51 mi |
| 6 | Pamlico Community College | 52.5 | Contact school for pricing | $32,918 | 50% | Yes* | 167 mi |
| 7 | Cleveland Community College | 46.6 | Contact school for pricing | $41,985 | Not reported | Yes* | 99 mi |
| 8 | Fayetteville Technical Community College | 45.5 | Contact school for pricing | $48,138 | 22% | Yes* | 54 mi |
| 9 | Halifax Community College | 39.6 | $2,608 - $16,938 | $45,575 | 38% | — | 137 mi |
| 10 | Miller-Motte College-Jacksonville | 35.7 | Contact school for pricing | $34,393 | 66% | — | 139 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.
North Carolina employs approximately 14,510 pipefitters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,080 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 North Carolina, 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 (North Carolina): $57,080 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Pipefitter in North Carolina
How to become a Pipefitter in North Carolina? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pipefitters in North Carolina.
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 North Carolina? The median annual wage for pipefitters in North Carolina is $57,080 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,860 and experienced professionals can earn $75,850 or more 1.
How to Become a Pipefitter in North Carolina
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina.
- Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in North Carolina, 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 North Carolina
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. North Carolina’s apprenticeship program is administered by the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Forsyth Tech Apprenticeship Program
- Address: 2100 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
- Phone: (336) 723-0371
- Email: [email protected]
Pipefitter Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 5,100 | $61,870 | $59,280 | $45,720 | $75,410 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 3,840 | $58,690 | $58,140 | $42,320 | $76,010 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 2,810 | $60,540 | $60,290 | $42,940 | $77,610 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 1,110 | $57,510 | $56,230 | $39,550 | $73,860 |
| Winston-Salem | 860 | $49,240 | $53,170 | $37,830 | $72,160 |
| Wilmington | 690 | $56,390 | $56,280 | $39,090 | $76,600 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 620 | $60,110 | $58,630 | $43,820 | $76,460 |
| Asheville | 460 | $59,200 | $56,120 | $39,550 | $73,760 |
| Fayetteville | 390 | $51,740 | $54,690 | $37,440 | $74,540 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 330 | $51,330 | $53,370 | $37,380 | $69,230 |
| Jacksonville | 270 | $53,230 | $56,010 | $37,840 | $78,730 |
| Burlington | 260 | $56,890 | $56,230 | $38,730 | $74,050 |
| Greenville | 250 | $57,080 | $56,470 | $40,190 | $74,530 |
| Goldsboro | 160 | $51,260 | $53,040 | $36,460 | $68,370 |
| Rocky Mount | 140 | $56,220 | $55,600 | $37,300 | $74,140 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | 130 | $48,440 | $52,370 | $38,690 | $61,480 |
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 North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 14,510 pipefitters 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in North Carolina. You can also contact the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do pipefitters earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pipefitters in North Carolina is $57,080, which is $5,890 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
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) |