Understanding the Differences Between a Pipefitter and a Plumber

Is the perfect person a plumber or a pipefitter?

Plumber using a wrench to tighten a siphon under a sink
Photo: vitranc / iStock / Getty Images
Plumber using a wrench to tighten a siphon under a sink
Photo: vitranc / iStock / Getty Images
Stephanie Mickelson
Written by Stephanie Mickelson
Contributing Writer
Updated Jun 17, 2025
Highlights

  • Plumbers and pipefitters are similar, but they work in different environments.

  • Plumbers focus on water and waste systems.

  • Pipefitters work on high-pressure pipes in industrial and commercial settings.

  • If you’re having work done on your home plumbing system, you’ll likely hire a plumber.

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Before you hire someone to work on your plumbing, you should be sure that they have the proper training and knowledge to complete the work. You may be wondering what the difference is between pipefitters and plumbers, so you know who to hire. The short answer is that plumbers focus on water and waste transportation systems, while pipefitters work with high-pressure pipes that carry other substances like gas or chemicals. Let’s take a closer look, so when the time comes, you know who to hire.

RolePlumberPipefitter
Works in residential and commercial buildingsx
Focuses on water and waste systemsx
Has specialized training to handle high-pressure pipesx
Works on pipes that carry chemicals, acids, and other substancesx
Focuses on industrial and commercial buildingsx
Requires a year of trade school and an apprenticeshipxx

What Is a Pipefitter?

Pipefitting is a specialized profession focused on high-pressure piping systems found in industrial and commercial buildings, plants, and factories. Pipefitters are trained to work on pipes that transport gases, steam, acids, and chemicals. The pipe systems may also generate electricity and heat. As part of their job, they may do some or all of the following:

  • Know and follow building codes at the national, state, and local levels

  • Maintain and repair high-pressure pipes

  • Install piping systems

  • Understand various piping materials and their appropriate applications

  • Weld pipe components together

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What Is a Plumber?

Plumbers work in residential homes and commercial buildings and deal with the pipes and systems that transport water and waste. They are the people to call when your toilet springs a leak, you need to move the plumbing for a bathroom or kitchen remodel, or you need to install a washing machine or water heater. They can also install gas lines if they hold the proper licensing and insurance. A plumber’s responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

  • Conducting maintenance on residential and commercial plumbing systems.

  • Installing appliances that use water, such as a toilet, washing machine, refrigerator, and dishwasher

  • Replacing or repairing broken pipes and fixtures

  • Unclogging drainage systems and pipes

  • Installing rough-in plumbing for new construction and renovation projects

Who Should I Hire for My Project?

Training requirements for pipefitters and plumbers are similar, with both professions starting their training in a trade school and then working as apprentices under a master plumber. That said, however, the person you hire should be familiar with residential plumbing systems and well-versed in conducting maintenance, repairs, and installation, which will likely be a plumber. When it’s time to hire a local plumber, it’s important to ask if they have experience and check their reviews. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Pipefitting is a more specialized profession, and pipefitters work with complex systems and low- and high-pressure pipes, so it can be considered harder than plumbing. Though each profession comes with its challenges, the nature of pipefitting requires working with heavier materials in fast-paced and dangerous environments, which can be more challenging than working on residential and commercial plumbing systems.

Plumbers start out at the apprentice level and then move up through the different levels of plumbers over their careers. After being an apprentice, plumbers move to journey-level and finally, plumbers who have met certain requirements for education and experience move up to master plumber. Most plumbers working on your home’s plumbing will be journey-level plumbers.

Even though their jobs sound similar—both professions work on pipes—a plumber and pipefitter actually have very different jobs, and pipefitting isn’t considered plumbing. Pipefitting is done in commercial and industrial buildings and factories, and the pipes carry gas, chemicals, acid, and other potentially hazardous substances. Pipefitters often work in intense conditions while plumbers may work in lower-pressure environments.

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Learn more about our contributor
Stephanie Mickelson
Written by Stephanie Mickelson
Contributing Writer
Stephanie Mickelson is a freelance writer covering home improvement, real estate, design, and personal finance. Before beginning her freelance career, she worked in residential construction, specifically remodeling kitchens, installing cabinets, flooring, countertops, trim, and more.

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