Pipelayer salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Pipelayers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $42,990 a year ($20.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,590 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $49,000. Pay here is 7% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $46,020. There are 0.80 pipelayers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pipelayers in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,810 | $17.21 |
| 25th percentile | $35,810 | $17.21 |
| Median | $42,990 | $20.67 |
| 75th percentile | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Average (mean) | $44,720 | $21.50 |
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 | $3,582.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,791.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,653.46 |
| Weekly | $826.73 |
| Hourly | $20.67 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $55,320 | 660 |
| Richmond, VA | $48,700 | 240 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $47,820 | 260 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $47,700 | 280 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $46,970 | 50 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $46,530 | 90 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $44,580 | 30 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $44,210 | 50 |
| Johnson City, TN | $41,800 | 60 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $45,370 | $21.81 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $55,960 | $26.90 |
| Electrician | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Carpenter | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $59,360 | $28.54 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $39,750 | $19.11 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $42,830 | $20.59 |
| Roofer | $39,720 | $19.10 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $57,450 | $27.62 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $69,610 | $33.47 |
| Helpers--Electricians | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $48,310 | $23.22 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $56,820 | $27.32 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for pipelayers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $42,990 a year, or $20.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pipelayers make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of pipelayers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $59,590 a year. The top 25% earn $45,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for pipelayers in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,810 a year, and a quarter of pipelayers earn $35,810 or less.
How many pipelayers work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 100 pipelayers are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.