by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 21 U.S. colleges awarded 698 degrees and certificates in Pipefitting/Pipefitter & Sprinkler Fitter. Certificates are the most popular award, at 42% of graduates. College Factual ranks 16 schools in its 2027 Best Pipefitting/Pipefitter & Sprinkler Fitter Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $38,651 one year after completing, rising to $54,525 after four years.
A major in Pipefitting/Pipefitter & Sprinkler Fitter covers Pipefitting/pipefitter And Sprinkler Fitter. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Design, Install, And Test Industrial And Commercial Piping Systems And Automatic Fire And Exposure Protection Systems. Includes Instruction In Water Systems, Steam Systems, Heating And Cooling Systems, Lubricating Systems, Piping Materials, Installation Tools Operation And Maintenance, Valve Installation And Repair, Technical Mathematics, Blueprint Interpretation, And Applicable Codes And Standards. Examples: [Sprinkler And Fire Protection Installer], [Sprinkler System Installer], [Steamfitter/pipefitter].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter is a popular field of study, with 698 degrees awarded annually. 21 colleges award pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter degrees, an average of 33 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 309.
By level, the 698 awards include 296 certificates, 212 associate degrees and 190 master’s degrees.
Women earned 5% of pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter degrees and certificates in the latest year (37 of 698). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (407) and Hispanic or Latino (97), and international students earned 2.
College Factual ranks 16 schools in its 2027 Best Pipefitting/Pipefitter & Sprinkler Fitter Schools ranking, including 2 for associate degrees. It also ranks pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter schools within 2 states. In all, 21 colleges offer pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Pipefitting/Pipefitter & Sprinkler Fitter Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter credential is the certificate: 296 of the 698 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter call most for Critical Thinking, Speaking and Monitoring, and for knowledge of Building and Construction, Mechanical and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Problem Sensitivity and Near Vision.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 296 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 212 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 190 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter, at 36.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 36.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 21.1% |
| Some college courses | 12.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 11.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 7.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Pipefitting/Pipefitter & Sprinkler Fitter, with an average median salary of $76,009; the strongest outlook belongs to Solar Energy Installation Managers, at 9.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Solar Water Heater Installer, Solar Installer, Solar Maintenance Technician and Solar Hot Water Installer (SHW Installer).
The occupation related to pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter with the most projected jobs is Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians, at 684,739.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians | 684,739 | 1.5% |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 660,007 | 7.9% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | 646,091 | 3.6% |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | 484,877 | 9.2% |
Pipefitting/Pipefitter & Sprinkler Fitter graduates earn a median $38,651 one year after completing their program, $54,525 after four years and $47,745 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $38,651 |
| 4 years | $54,525 |
| 5 years | $47,745 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter is First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers, with a median salary of $83,555.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $83,555 |
| Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians | $83,502 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $78,994 |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | $57,985 |
Pipefitting/Pipefitter & Sprinkler Fitter has 3 similar majors in the Construction Trades field, which together award 3,496 degrees a year; the largest are Plumbing Technology/Plumber (3,426), Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services, Other (63) and Well Drilling/Driller (7). Browse all Construction Trades majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Plumbing Technology/Plumber | 3,426 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services, Other | 63 |
| Well Drilling/Driller | 7 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
