Pipe fitters

£39,107

Average salary

Average annual salary UK 2020 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

57 hours

Average weekly hours

Average weekly hours UK 2019 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

1.82%

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate UK 2020 | Labour Force Survey

Definition: Pipe fitters

*SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification): 5216

Workers in this unit group install pipe systems and maintain and repair pipes in major utilities, industrial and construction settings and sites.

Common tasks include:

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.

Qualifications

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 in Mechanical Engineering Services (Plumbing) at Levels 2 and 3 are available.

*Introduced in 1990, SOC is a multi-purpose common classification of occupations in UK. Jobs are defined in terms of skill level and skill content, including qualifications, training and work experience.

Employment status: Pipe fitters

Regional employment: Pipe fitters

Future employment: Pipe fitters

Top 12 industries: Pipe fitters

Alternative & related job titles: Pipe fitters

Fitter, tube Fitter-welder, pipe Erector, pipe Turner, pipe Engineer, pipe Fitter, pipe, boiler Man, pipe, brine Fitter, pipe Man, pipe (coal mine) Engineer, pipefitting Lineman, pump Welder-fitter, pipe Layer, pipe (coal mine) Linesman, pump

Equality focus: Pipe fitters

Breaking down the official government big data sources by gender, age and region. Hours and pay data based on full time equlivalent roles.