Pipelayer salary in California
Pipelayers in California earn a median of $76,180 a year ($36.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,790 for the top 10%. That is 55% higher than the national median of $49,000. California ranks 5th of 44 states for pipelayers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.08 pipelayers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.37). The average (mean) salary is $77,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pipelayers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| 25th percentile | $61,870 | $29.74 |
| Median | $76,180 | $36.63 |
| 75th percentile | $94,560 | $45.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,790 | $52.30 |
| Average (mean) | $77,930 | $37.47 |
Half of pipelayers 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 | $6,348.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,174.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,930 |
| Weekly | $1,465 |
| Hourly | $36.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pipelayer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $80,260 | 500 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $76,190 | 250 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $73,960 | 170 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $64,770 | 90 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $61,160 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for pipelayers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $86,870 |
| Washington | $82,450 |
| Minnesota | $81,980 |
| New Jersey | $78,830 |
| California | $76,180 |
| Indiana | $73,580 |
| Massachusetts | $72,770 |
| Ohio | $71,560 |
| New York | $70,370 |
| Oregon | $64,230 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Roofer | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Glazier | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $60,600 | $29.14 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2151. 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 pipelayer make in California?
The median salary for pipelayers in California is $76,180 a year, or $36.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pipelayers make in California?
The top 10% of pipelayers in California earn at least $108,790 a year. The top 25% earn $94,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for pipelayers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,650 a year, and a quarter of pipelayers earn $61,870 or less.
How many pipelayers work in California?
About 1,420 pipelayers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.