How to install python pip on CentOS

Python pip is used on CentOS to install Python packages on the particular system you're running using a simple command line interface. Do note that if you have a particular version of CentOS, you will want to get the package that is set up for your particular version of the operating system.

Update All Packages

Before you get started, you'll need to make sure everything is updated. Do this by running yum. You'll need to be root or superuser to run these commands.

Yum will make certain everything is updated properly.

Download EPEL which Contains Python Pip

Next, you'll need to install the Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux repo, or EPEL. Be sure to choose the same version as your operating system.

In this case, I've chosen the version for 2.6.

Install Python pip

Enter the following command:

You can now verify that pip is installed properly on the system by entering the command:

Installing packages using pip

Once you have python pip installed, you can simply add a Python package by running pip in this fashion:

Likewise you can uninstall packages just as easily.

Again, one thing to keep in mind is that despite having later versions of CentOS, many packages do not play well with previous versions. So if you have a particular version of CentOS, you will want to get the package that is set up for your operating system only.