Prevailing Wage for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Prevailing wages for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters are set by the DOL across four experience levels, and the floor shifts considerably depending on where the work is performed. Whether your offer covers a Pipefitter role in the Midwest or a Drain Technician position on the West Coast, understanding the level that matches your experience is the first step to evaluating any sponsored offer.
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Entry-level workers with limited hands-on experience in pipe assembly, installation, or repair. Typically newer to the trade, working under close supervision, and not yet expected to handle complex system configurations independently.
The most common filing level for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. Workers with solid trade experience who can execute a range of pipe system tasks with moderate supervision and some independent judgment on standard installations.
Experienced tradespeople who handle complex piping systems, troubleshoot independently, and may guide junior workers. Typically several years into the trade with demonstrated expertise across multiple system types or project scopes.
Senior or lead-level professionals overseeing large-scale installations, mentoring crews, or managing specialized systems such as high-pressure steam lines or industrial process piping. Typically the top of the wage scale for this occupation.
Prevailing Wage for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Confirm your worksite city matches your LCA
Plumbers and pipefitters often rotate across multiple job sites. The prevailing wage on your LCA must reflect the actual worksite location, not employer headquarters. A move from a lower-wage market to San Jose or Seattle can create a wage compliance gap mid-assignment.
Watch for signing bonus amortization in your offer
Some construction and mechanical contractors offer large signing bonuses to attract sponsored pipefitters and Fire Sprinkler Service Technicians. DOL does not count one-time bonuses toward the prevailing wage floor; your base hourly rate must clear the threshold on its own.
Match your title to the right SOC before filing
Pipe Welder and Drain Technician roles sometimes get filed under different SOC codes, such as welding or maintenance occupations, which carry different wage floors. Confirm your employer is filing under SOC 47-2152 to ensure the correct prevailing wage benchmark applies.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with plumber sponsorship history
Migrate Mate shows which companies have previously sponsored Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters for H-1B or green card petitions, letting you target contractors and industrial employers with a documented track record rather than guessing at sponsorship willingness.
Jobs for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 47-2152.00 alongside Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Drain Technician Prevailing Wage
Drain Technician Prevailing Wage
Drain Technician positions fall under SOC 47-2152.00 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Fire Sprinkler Service Technician Prevailing Wage
Fire Sprinkler Service Technician Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Fire Sprinkler Service Technician for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2152.00 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Pipe Welder Prevailing Wage
Pipe Welder Prevailing Wage
Pipe Welder is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-2152.00 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Pipefitter Prevailing Wage
Pipefitter Prevailing Wage
Pipefitter positions fall under SOC 47-2152.00 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Plumber Prevailing Wage
Plumber Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Plumber for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2152.00 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Plumbing Installer Prevailing Wage
Plumbing Installer Prevailing Wage
Plumbing Installer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-2152.00 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Residential Plumber Prevailing Wage
Residential Plumber Prevailing Wage
Residential Plumber positions fall under SOC 47-2152.00 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Service Plumber Prevailing Wage
Service Plumber Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Service Plumber for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2152.00 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Sprinkler Fitter Prevailing Wage
Sprinkler Fitter Prevailing Wage
Sprinkler Fitter is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-2152.00 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Steamfitter Prevailing Wage
Steamfitter Prevailing Wage
Steamfitter positions fall under SOC 47-2152.00 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the DOL set the prevailing wage for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
DOL determines prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For each metro area, DOL calculates four wage levels tied to experience and complexity. Employers sponsoring a worker under H-1B or PERM must certify on the LCA that the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable level for the worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify mine?
Level 1 applies to entry-level workers under close supervision. Level 2, the most common filing level for this occupation, covers qualified workers handling standard tasks with some independence. Level 3 reflects experienced professionals with complex responsibilities. Level 4 covers senior or lead tradespeople. Your level should match your actual job duties and supervision structure, not just years of experience alone.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters role vary so much by city?
DOL calculates wages from regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so local labor market conditions drive the floor. Dense union markets like Chicago and San Jose push wages significantly higher than rural or lower-cost regions. Critically, the LCA must list the actual worksite address, so the wage obligation follows where the work is physically performed, not where the employer is headquartered.
What happens if a job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
OFLC will not certify an LCA where the offered wage falls below the prevailing wage for the worksite location and experience level. If the LCA is already certified and a wage issue surfaces, the employer is required to make the worker whole. For PERM applications, USCIS and DOL both review wage compliance, and deficiencies can result in denial or audit.
How can I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up the current prevailing wage for SOC 47-2152 in any metro area covered by DOL surveys. Enter the occupation code and worksite location to see all four wage levels. You can also review recent LCA disclosure data published by OFLC to see what wages employers have actually certified for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in your target city. Migrate Mate can help you identify which employers in that area have active sponsorship histories for this role.
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