by our College Data Analytics TeamA 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]. Continue reading for the key facts every pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter programs.
Across the country, pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter is a popular field of study, with 613 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Pipefitting/Pipefitter & Sprinkler Fitter Schools ranking analyzes these 26 schools to determine the best overall colleges for pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter programs later in this article.
Studies in Pipefitting/Pipefitter & Sprinkler Fitter develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 224 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 222 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 167 |
People currently working in careers related to pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter.
| 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $38,651 |
| 4 years | $39,033 |
| 5 years | $45,465 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter grads often go into.
| 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 |
With 26 different pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter school rankings to help you.
Students interested in pipefitting/pipefitter & sprinkler fitter, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Plumbing Technology/Plumber | 2,780 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services, Other | 71 |
| Well Drilling/Driller | 7 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
