Pipefitter Career Guide in Arkansas
Explore pipefitter salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Arkansas.
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How to Become a Pipefitter in Arkansas
Arkansas pipefitters commonly complete a paid apprenticeship with supervised field experience and classroom instruction in piping systems, fabrication, welding, rigging, drawings, code compliance, testing, and safety.
Note: Training pathways vary by employer, program sponsor, and licensing category. Classroom education may provide useful technical preparation, but it does not automatically replace supervised work experience unless the applicable licensing authority specifically allows that credit.
Pipefitter Salary in Arkansas
The salary figure shown on this page represents the Arkansas median wage for pipefitter workers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data. A median wage is the point at which half of workers earn more and half earn less. It is not a guaranteed starting salary.
Actual earnings may vary by experience, license level, metropolitan area, employer, industry, overtime, and union agreement.
Compared with the national median of $62,970, the median wage in Arkansas is approximately $14,310 lower. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Pipefitters in Arkansas
Note: Licensing rules, fees, examinations, exemptions, and renewal requirements may change. Applicants should verify current requirements directly with the authority listed above before beginning work, applying for an examination, or enrolling in a training program.
CAREER PREPARATIONPipefitter Training Requirements in Arkansas
Arkansas pipefitters commonly enter the occupation through a paid registered apprenticeship. State registration or licensing is required when assigned work falls within Arkansas’s regulated plumbing trade.
- Register as an apprentice plumber before performing regulated plumbing work under supervision.
- Complete the apprenticeship’s prescribed classroom education and supervised practical experience.
- Learn pipe layout, fabrication, welding, rigging, blueprint reading, testing, code, and safety.
- Pass the applicable journeyman or master examination and comply with contractor and permit requirements.
Pipefitter Training Providers in Arkansas
| Provider | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas–Pulaski Technical College | North Little Rock | View Program |
| Northwest Arkansas Community College | Bentonville | View Program |
| Arkansas State University–Beebe | Searcy | View Program |
| South Arkansas College | El Dorado | View Program |
Note: Program availability, admission requirements, tuition, and credit toward licensing requirements may change. Verify current details directly with the provider and the applicable state licensing authority before enrolling. Listings are informational and do not constitute rankings or endorsements.
PAID TRAINING OPPORTUNITIESPipefitter Apprenticeship Programs in Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas Plumbing Apprenticeship
Organization: Northwest Arkansas Community College
Arkansas Construction Trades Apprenticeship
Organization: Arkansas Construction Education Foundation
Arkansas Registered Apprenticeship Program
Organization: Arkansas Office of Skills Development
Pipefitter Licensing Requirements in Arkansas
Arkansas does not issue a separate pipefitter license. Workers performing regulated plumbing must register as Apprentice Plumbers or hold Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber, or Restricted Plumber licenses. Businesses may also need an Arkansas contractor license depending on their activities and project value.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSPipefitter Job Outlook in Arkansas
Arkansas’s 2022–2032 long-term projections indicate approximately 7% employment growth for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters. Annual openings are expected from construction demand, industrial maintenance, and replacement of experienced workers.
Note: State employment projections may use a different base period from national BLS projections. Projected growth is an estimate rather than a guarantee of employment, and local demand may vary by metropolitan area, industry, construction activity, and employer investment.
CAREER QUESTIONSFrequently Asked Questions
What is the pipefitter salary in Arkansas?
The statewide median wage for pipefitters in Arkansas is approximately $48,660 per year, or $23.39 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does Arkansas require pipefitter licensing?
Yes. Arkansas requires individuals performing regulated, non-exempt pipefitter work to hold the appropriate license or credential. Applicants should verify the current license category, experience, examination, and renewal requirements with Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section.
How long does it take to become a pipefitter in Arkansas?
The time required depends on the license pathway and training program. A typical training pathway takes approximately 4–5 Years Apprenticeship, although licensing, apprenticeship, and employer requirements may differ.
Are pipefitters in demand in Arkansas?
Arkansas projects pipefitter employment to grow by approximately 7% from 2022 to 2032. Projections include both new positions and openings created when workers leave the occupation.
Career Data Sources
State wage, employment outlook, and licensing information is reviewed using government and official regulatory sources. Data and requirements may change after publication.
- May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2024 State OEWS
- Arkansas Wages for Pipefitter (SOC 47-2152) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Arkansas Pipefitter Wages
- Arkansas Pipefitter Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Arkansas Pipefitter Employment Trends
- Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section — Licensing authority. Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section