Pipe fitters: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time pipe fitters in the UK earned a median £42,580 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): £3,541 above the all-jobs median of £39,039.
What the figures show
That ranks 112th of 382 occupations on this measure.
The mean (£40,698) is below the median.
A full-time median is published for men only; the sample of women is too small.
Paid hours are long: a full-time median of 42.2 a week including overtime, against 37.5 across all jobs.
Since 2021 the median has risen 28.9% (from £33,026), faster than the 25.0% for all jobs.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30th percentile | – | – | – | – | £730.30 | £18.25* |
| 40th percentile | – | £790.40 | £19.11 | – | £780.80 | £19.95 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £42,580* | £856.20 | £19.99 | £42,580* | £831.30 | £20.37 |
| 60th percentile | £44,234* | £867.10* | £20.65 | £44,234* | £867.10* | £21.04 |
| Mean | £40,698 | £860.60 | £19.77 | £40,698 | £855.10 | £21.02 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £33,026 | – | – | £32,903 | – |
| 2023 revised | £38,855 | £753.20 | £17.97 | £38,016 | – |
| 2024 revised | £46,046* | £869.50 | £20.09 | £46,046* | £869.50 |
| 2025 provisional | £42,580* | £856.20 | £19.99 | £42,580* | £831.30 |
What pipe fitters do
Pipe fitters install pipe systems and maintain and repair pipes in major utilities, industrial and construction settings and sites. (ONS SOC 2020, 5214)
Also covers: pipe engineer, pipe fitter, pipe welder-fitter, pipe erector, pipe fitter-welder, pipe layer, pipe man, pipefitting engineer, pump lineman, pump linesman, boiler pipe fitter, brine pipe man and gas distribution engineer (pipe fitting).
- Examines drawings and specifications to determine layout of piping
- Measures and cuts required lengths of copper, lead, steel, iron, aluminium or plastic piping using hand or machine tools
- Installs pipes for heating, ventilating, fire prevention, water and similar systems in industrial and construction settings, including oil rigs and terminals, sewerage systems and other mains networks
- Fits piping into position and joins sections by welding, soldering, cementing, fusing, screwing or by other methods
- Tests pipe work for leaks and makes necessary adjustments
There are no formal academic entry requirements, although some employers may expect entrants to possess GCSEs/S grades. Training is usually via apprenticeship including practical experience and technical training. NVQs/SVQs at levels 2 and 3 are available.
Related
Metal forming, welding and related trades (median £35,122) · Welding trades · Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations · salary percentile · Average weekly hours worked in the UK · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026