Pipefitters assemble, maintain and repair the system of large metal tubes called pipes that lead in and out of industrial locations. By completing their work, pipefitters ensure that the pipes needed to supply water, natural gas or steam throughout facilities and to remove waste remain in good working order.

Types of Locations

Pipefitters work on the pipes of industrial buildings like large factories, power plants, oil refineries and refrigeration plants, according to Delta College's website.

Features

In addition to working on the pipes, pipefitters also install and maintain pressure systems, gauges and equipment that controls the heating and cooling of industrial facilities. Pipefitters work from blueprints or plans and use a wide variety of tools to complete their work, such as saws, pipe cutters, benders, adhesives, soldering irons and welding torches.

Misconceptions

Although some people use the terms plumber and pipefitter interchangeably, the professions are not one and the same. Although plumbers perform similar tasks to pipefitters, they typically work in residences and commercial locations like office parks, stores and restaurants rather than industrial buildings.

Education

To complete their work, pipefitters require education after high school. Options for this gaining include four- to five-year apprenticeships, technical training schools and associates degree programs, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Compensaton

As of December 2009, pipefitters received average annual salaries of $50,000 for completing their work, according to indeed.com.

Source:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Plumbers, Pipelayers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters

Delta College: Plumbing-Pipefitting

Indeed.com: Pipefitter Salaries