Pipelayer salary in North Carolina
Pipelayers in North Carolina earn a median of $47,220 a year ($22.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,830 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,280 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $49,000. North Carolina ranks 31st of 44 states for pipelayers pay. There are 0.78 pipelayers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pipelayers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| 25th percentile | $42,200 | $20.29 |
| Median | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| 75th percentile | $51,880 | $24.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Average (mean) | $47,990 | $23.07 |
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 | $3,935 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,967.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,816.15 |
| Weekly | $908.08 |
| Hourly | $22.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pipelayer salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $48,980 | 1,170 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $48,390 | 640 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $48,190 | 50 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $47,820 | 260 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $47,550 | 120 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $47,150 | 190 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $46,860 | 110 |
| Asheville, NC | $46,840 | 160 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $46,410 | 110 |
| Wilmington, NC | $46,130 | 160 |
| Burlington, NC | $46,070 | 30 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $44,000 | 70 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $43,260 | 100 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $43,230 | 50 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $40,220 | 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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Electrician | $56,800 | $27.31 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $57,080 | $27.44 |
| Carpenter | $49,100 | $23.61 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Roofer | $49,010 | $23.56 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $42,990 | $20.67 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $45,080 | $21.67 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for pipelayers in North Carolina is $47,220 a year, or $22.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pipelayers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of pipelayers in North Carolina earn at least $59,280 a year. The top 25% earn $51,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for pipelayers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,870 a year, and a quarter of pipelayers earn $42,200 or less.
How many pipelayers work in North Carolina?
About 3,830 pipelayers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.