Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in the U.S.
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in the U.S. earn a median of $42,360 a year ($20.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 44,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,780 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $43,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,590 | $16.15 |
| 25th percentile | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| Median | $42,360 | $20.36 |
| 75th percentile | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Average (mean) | $43,730 | $21.03 |
Half of Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,530 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,765 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,629.23 |
| Weekly | $814.62 |
| Hourly | $20.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,360 salary, see how much house you can afford at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Puerto Rico | $25,560 | 460 |
Best-paying metro areas for Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $65,600 | 280 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $63,210 | 90 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $52,000 | 4,360 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $52,000 | 120 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $51,940 | 100 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $51,350 | 430 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $49,660 | 320 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $47,710 | n/a |
| Anchorage, AK | $47,290 | 50 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $47,100 | n/a |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $46,990 | 380 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $46,950 | 290 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $46,940 | n/a |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,840 | 920 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $46,780 | 640 |
Metro areas with the most Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 4,360 | $52,000 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 2,330 | $43,680 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 1,500 | $44,750 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 1,260 | $37,520 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 1,100 | $39,650 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 960 | $46,540 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 920 | $46,840 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 760 | $38,930 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 640 | $46,780 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 610 | $39,380 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 600 | $38,310 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 590 | $44,320 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 500 | $38,030 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 440 | $45,200 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 440 | $45,020 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Helpers--Electricians | $42,670 | $20.51 |
| Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other | $42,670 | $20.51 |
| Helpers--Carpenters | $43,780 | $21.05 |
| Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters | $47,550 | $22.86 |
| Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons | $40,470 | $19.46 |
| Helpers--Roofers | $44,160 | $21.23 |
| Construction Laborer | $47,120 | $22.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $79,920 | $38.42 |
| Electrician | $63,190 | $30.38 |
| Carpenter | $60,580 | $29.12 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $59,850 | $28.78 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,800 | $30.67 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $57,020 | $27.41 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-3015. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make in the U.S.?
The median salary for Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in the U.S. is $42,360 a year, or $20.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in the U.S. earn at least $57,780 a year. The top 25% earn $47,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,590 a year, and a quarter of Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn $36,940 or less.
How many Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work in the U.S.?
About 44,330 Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.