How much does a helpers--pipelayer make?
The median helpers--pipelayer in the United States earns $42,360 per year, about $20.36 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all helpers--pipelayers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-3015.
Helpers--pipelayer salary range
Pay for helpers--pipelayers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,590 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $57,780. The average (mean) wage of $43,730 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,590 | $16.15 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $36,940 | $17.76 | |
| Median (50th) | $42,360 | $20.36 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $47,720 | $22.94 | |
| 90th percentile | $57,780 | $27.78 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (SOC 47-3015), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Helpers--pipelayer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Helpers--pipelayers earn the most in Washington at $56,140 a year, and the least in Missouri at $34,630. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $56,140 | 600 |
| Hawaii | $52,000 | 180 |
| New York | $52,000 | 4,840 |
| Maine | $48,410 | N/A |
| Arizona | $47,990 | 460 |
| Alaska | $47,290 | 100 |
| California | $47,130 | 2,500 |
| Maryland | $46,170 | 970 |
| New Hampshire | $46,030 | 70 |
| Ohio | $45,760 | 1,090 |
| District of Columbia | $45,440 | N/A |
| Wyoming | $45,250 | 40 |
| Colorado | $45,030 | 240 |
| Oregon | $44,800 | 210 |
| Nebraska | $44,550 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $44,550 | 1,100 |
| New Jersey | $44,360 | 760 |
| Massachusetts | $44,340 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $43,710 | 3,070 |
| Utah | $43,380 | 390 |
| Kentucky | $43,330 | 960 |
| Michigan | $42,810 | 270 |
| Indiana | $42,240 | 390 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,150 | 920 |
| Texas | $41,950 | 7,210 |
| Wisconsin | $41,670 | 450 |
| Montana | $41,420 | 110 |
| Nevada | $41,100 | 350 |
| Kansas | $40,540 | 320 |
| Idaho | $40,120 | N/A |
| New Mexico | $40,100 | 400 |
| Oklahoma | $40,080 | 740 |
| South Carolina | $39,450 | 1,090 |
| Connecticut | $38,930 | 160 |
| Illinois | $38,300 | N/A |
| Virginia | $38,190 | 1,640 |
| Iowa | $37,870 | 350 |
| Georgia | $37,730 | 2,100 |
| Arkansas | $37,670 | 330 |
| Florida | $37,560 | 4,500 |
| Alabama | $37,440 | 770 |
| Mississippi | $37,440 | 400 |
| Vermont | $37,440 | 140 |
| Louisiana | $37,380 | 2,010 |
| South Dakota | $36,500 | 210 |
| Delaware | $36,070 | 140 |
| West Virginia | $35,930 | 130 |
| Missouri | $34,630 | 280 |
State median wages for helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (SOC 47-3015), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for helpers--pipelayers
The BLS projects employment of helpers--pipelayers to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 45,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 46,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,400 openings a year for helpers--pipelayers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a helpers--pipelayer
The typical entry-level education for helpers--pipelayers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a helpers--pipelayer earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $56,140) and the lowest (Missouri, $34,630) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 44,330 people work as helpers--pipelayers in the United States. At $42,360 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Helpers--pipelayer salary FAQ
How much does a helpers--pipelayer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a helpers--pipelayer is $20.36. The middle half of helpers--pipelayers earn between $17.76 and $22.94 per hour.
What is the highest helpers--pipelayer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of helpers--pipelayers earn more than $57,780 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a helpers--pipelayer make a year?
The median annual salary for a helpers--pipelayer is $42,360. The average (mean) wage of $43,730 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a helpers--pipelayer a well paid job?
At $42,360 a year, a helpers--pipelayer earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 44,330 people work as helpers--pipelayers in the United States.
Which state pays helpers--pipelayers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for helpers--pipelayers at $56,140 a year. Hawaii ($52,000) and New York ($52,000) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a helpers--pipelayer a good career?
Employment of helpers--pipelayers is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a helpers--pipelayer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for helpers--pipelayers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Construction & Trades salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.