How much does a pipelayer make?
a year · about $24 an hour
A typical pipelayer in the United States makes $49,000 a year, about $24 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They work outdoors, digging or leveling a trench, then measuring and cutting pipe. They line up and join pipe sections, check the slope with a laser or level, and cover the pipe with earth.
Did you know? On some U.S. storm-sewer jobs, crews use a laser inside the pipe to keep it lined up and at the right slope.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $37,730 and $80,170How do you become one?
In the United States, pipelayers usually need no formal schooling or prior experience and learn on the job. Some states require a license or registration for pipelaying, so check local rules.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience, useful skills, or a license valued by an employer can affect pipelayers’ pay. Pay also varies with the employer and project, location, and hours or shifts worked.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($82,450), lowest in Nebraska ($44,470).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,730 | $49,000 | $80,170 | about 33,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $82,450 | about 1,000 |
| Minnesota | $81,980 | about 510 |
| California | $76,180 | about 1,000 |
| Ohio | $71,560 | about 1,000 |
| Oregon | $64,230 | about 620 |
Official definition: Lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains. Perform any combination of the following tasks: grade trenches or culverts, position pipe, or seal joints. Excludes “Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers” (51-4121).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.Htm
- www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/careers/occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keywor
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/47-2151.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes472151.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.cityofeastdubuque.com/media/cms/Standard_Storm_Sewer_Specifications_159CB2AD
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY