Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in North Carolina
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in North Carolina earn a median of $57,080 a year ($27.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 14,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,850 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $63,800. North Carolina ranks 44th of 51 states for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters pay. There are 2.9 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $56,720, close to the median.
Pay range for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,860 | $18.69 |
| 25th percentile | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| Median | $57,080 | $27.44 |
| 75th percentile | $63,290 | $30.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,850 | $36.47 |
| Average (mean) | $56,720 | $27.27 |
Half of 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 | $4,756.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,378.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,195.38 |
| Weekly | $1,097.69 |
| Hourly | $27.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,080 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $61,870 | 5,100 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $60,540 | 2,810 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $60,110 | 620 |
| Asheville, NC | $59,200 | 460 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $58,690 | 3,840 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $57,510 | 1,110 |
| Greenville, NC | $57,080 | 250 |
| Burlington, NC | $56,890 | 260 |
| Wilmington, NC | $56,390 | 690 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $56,220 | 140 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $53,230 | 270 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $51,740 | 390 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $51,330 | 330 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $51,260 | 160 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $49,240 | 860 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $48,440 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $101,020 |
| Illinois | $99,950 |
| Oregon | $97,050 |
| Minnesota | $94,410 |
| Alaska | $93,920 |
| Massachusetts | $93,880 |
| Wisconsin | $81,210 |
| Washington | $81,030 |
| Michigan | $80,190 |
| Montana | $79,960 |
See Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay in every state.
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Electrician | $56,800 | $27.31 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| Carpenter | $49,100 | $23.61 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Pipelayer | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| Roofer | $49,010 | $23.56 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $42,990 | $20.67 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $45,080 | $21.67 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2152. 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 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make in North Carolina?
The median salary for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in North Carolina is $57,080 a year, or $27.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in North Carolina earn at least $75,850 a year. The top 25% earn $63,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,860 a year, and a quarter of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn $46,550 or less.
How many plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work in North Carolina?
About 14,510 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.