So are pipe fitters that much more plentiful than welders, or do you have to move up the pipefitters ranks with more skills or a higher-level employer?
Welders have to make sure the weld holds, fitters have to make sure it will fit from a shop drawing so the responsibility is quite demanding. Making sure a pipe spool with half a dozen flanges, some with rolling offsets are going to match up with the equipment out in the field can be quite demanding. There is no one there to tell the fitter what or how to do it, he has to make the right call the first time from the prints in front of him. Remember, all those little bolt holes have got to line up.