Pipelayer salary in South Dakota
Pipelayers in South Dakota earn a median of $50,650 a year ($24.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,300 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $49,000. South Dakota ranks 24th of 44 states for pipelayers pay. There are 0.66 pipelayers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,800, close to the median.
Pay range for pipelayers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| 25th percentile | $43,160 | $20.75 |
| Median | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| 75th percentile | $56,750 | $27.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,300 | $28.99 |
| Average (mean) | $49,800 | $23.94 |
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 cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $50,650 | 70 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| Electrician | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $59,500 | $28.61 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $51,620 | $24.82 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $57,050 | $27.43 |
| Roofer | $47,710 | $22.94 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,850 | $23.49 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Glazier | $47,140 | $22.66 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for pipelayers in South Dakota is $50,650 a year, or $24.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pipelayers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of pipelayers in South Dakota earn at least $60,300 a year. The top 25% earn $56,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for pipelayers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,560 a year, and a quarter of pipelayers earn $43,160 or less.
How many pipelayers work in South Dakota?
About 300 pipelayers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.