Pipelayer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Pipelayers Make?
Pipelayers earn a median annual salary of $48,710 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $36,840 at the 10th percentile to $80,710 at the 90th percentile — a range of $43,870. The highest-paying state is Alaska at $93,500.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,840 |
| 25th percentile | $42,320 |
| Median (50th) | $48,710 |
| 75th percentile | $60,980 |
| 90th percentile | $80,710 |
Pipelayer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaskatop | $93,500 |
| Minnesota | $84,880 |
| Wisconsin | $81,300 |
| Washington | $80,280 |
| California | $78,090 |
| New York | $76,490 |
| Indiana | $75,320 |
| New Jersey | $70,780 |
| Michigan | $64,340 |
| Oregon | $64,110 |
| Nevada | $63,040 |
| Idaho | $62,780 |
| Arizona | $61,810 |
| Massachusetts | $60,870 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,730 |
| Ohio | $59,120 |
| Maine | $59,020 |
| Maryland | $58,260 |
| Delaware | $57,990 |
| Kentucky | $57,400 |
| Colorado | $56,630 |
| Montana | $56,420 |
| District of Columbia | $54,130 |
| Iowa | $51,800 |
| Vermont | $51,760 |
| Utah | $51,180 |
| North Dakota | $50,780 |
| Oklahoma | $50,190 |
| Nebraska | $49,600 |
| Illinois | $49,030 |
| Virginia | $48,540 |
| New Hampshire | $48,120 |
| South Dakota | $47,230 |
| Florida | $46,370 |
| Kansas | $45,860 |
| Tennessee | $45,800 |
| Georgia | $45,780 |
| Texas | $45,550 |
| North Carolina | $45,350 |
| South Carolina | $44,480 |
| Louisiana | $43,030 |
| New Mexico | $42,670 |
| Mississippi | $41,260 |
| Alabama | $39,870 |
| Arkansas | $36,710 |
| West Virginia | $36,080 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Pipelayers
Pipelayer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$36,840 – $42,320 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$48,710 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$60,980 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $80,710+ |
How to Earn More as a Pipelayer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Pipelayers in Minnesota earn $84,880 — $36,170 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($60,980) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Pipelayer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Pipelayerthis career | $48,710 |
| Boilermaker | $73,340 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmason | $60,800 |
| Carpenter | $59,310 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finisher | $54,660 |
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SOC: 47-2151.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.