Education · 1 of 4

The path

A paid apprenticeship. Four to five years, and roughly four days on the job for every day in class.

1. 1

   High school diploma or an equivalency certificate

   Grade 12

   Math through algebra and geometry, plus shop or welding if offered. You need to be 18, pass a drug test and be physically able to do the work.

2. 2

   Apply to an apprenticeship

   Weeks to a year of waiting

   Local unions of the United Association run the biggest programs, and there are open shop and contractor association programs too. Applications open in windows, not all year.

3. 3

   Start work as an indentured apprentice

   Immediately

   You are a paid employee from the first day, working beside qualified fitters.

4. 4

   Work plus classroom training

   4 to 5 years

   About 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training a year plus technical instruction covering safety, codes, blueprint reading, math, physics and chemistry.

5. 5

   Journeyman pipefitter

   After the hours

   Finish your hours, pass your welding tests, and sit your state or local exam if one is required.