Pipelayer salary in Columbia, SC
Pipelayers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $44,190 a year ($21.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,980 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $49,000. Pay here is 2% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $45,180. There are 0.22 pipelayers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pipelayers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| 25th percentile | $38,920 | $18.71 |
| Median | $44,190 | $21.25 |
| 75th percentile | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,980 | $28.36 |
| Average (mean) | $45,970 | $22.10 |
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 | $3,682.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,841.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,699.62 |
| Weekly | $849.81 |
| Hourly | $21.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pipelayer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $48,980 | 1,170 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $48,250 | 170 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $47,000 | 40 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $44,560 | 60 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $44,170 | 80 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $42,950 | 60 |
| Florence, SC | $37,650 | 30 |
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 |
See Pipelayer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $42,630 | $20.49 |
| Electrician | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $48,410 | $23.27 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $52,070 | $25.04 |
| Carpenter | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,680 | $24.36 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| Glazier | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Roofer | $44,660 | $21.47 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $50,510 | $24.28 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $46,970 | $22.58 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for pipelayers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $44,190 a year, or $21.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pipelayers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of pipelayers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $58,980 a year. The top 25% earn $48,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for pipelayers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,940 a year, and a quarter of pipelayers earn $38,920 or less.
How many pipelayers work in Columbia, SC?
About 90 pipelayers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.