Pipelayer salary in Rapid City, SD
Pipelayers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $50,650 a year ($24.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,090 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $49,000. Pay here is about the same as the South Dakota statewide median of $50,650. There are 0.97 pipelayers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,250, close to the median.
Pay range for pipelayers in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| 25th percentile | $43,980 | $21.15 |
| Median | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| 75th percentile | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,090 | $28.41 |
| Average (mean) | $50,250 | $24.16 |
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 | $4,220.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,110.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,948.08 |
| Weekly | $974.04 |
| Hourly | $24.35 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $49,400 | 110 |
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 Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $48,640 | $23.39 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Electrician | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $60,660 | $29.16 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $55,850 | $26.85 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $49,100 | $23.60 |
| Roofer | $46,510 | $22.36 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,900 | $22.55 |
| Glazier | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $44,280 | $21.29 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $77,900 | $37.45 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for pipelayers in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $50,650 a year, or $24.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pipelayers make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of pipelayers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $59,090 a year. The top 25% earn $54,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for pipelayers in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,140 a year, and a quarter of pipelayers earn $43,980 or less.
How many pipelayers work in Rapid City, SD?
About 70 pipelayers are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.