Pipelayer salary in Illinois
Pipelayers in Illinois earn a median of $49,590 a year ($23.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,490 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $49,000. Illinois ranks 25th of 44 states for pipelayers pay. There are 0.05 pipelayers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.22). The average (mean) salary is $51,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pipelayers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,760 | $20.08 |
| 25th percentile | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| Median | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| 75th percentile | $55,950 | $26.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,490 | $30.04 |
| Average (mean) | $51,850 | $24.93 |
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 | $4,132.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,066.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,907.31 |
| Weekly | $953.65 |
| Hourly | $23.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pipelayer salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $54,520 | 250 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $60,690 | $29.18 |
| Electrician | $99,560 | $47.87 |
| Carpenter | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $99,950 | $48.05 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $97,740 | $46.99 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $78,170 | $37.58 |
| Roofer | $77,900 | $37.45 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $101,850 | $48.97 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $89,980 | $43.26 |
| Glazier | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $69,880 | $33.60 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $100,400 | $48.27 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for pipelayers in Illinois is $49,590 a year, or $23.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pipelayers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of pipelayers in Illinois earn at least $62,490 a year. The top 25% earn $55,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for pipelayers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,760 a year, and a quarter of pipelayers earn $45,700 or less.
How many pipelayers work in Illinois?
About 280 pipelayers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.