Pipelayer salary in Tennessee
Pipelayers in Tennessee earn a median of $46,020 a year ($22.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 810 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,590 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $49,000. Tennessee ranks 33rd of 44 states for pipelayers pay. There are 0.25 pipelayers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pipelayers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,810 | $17.21 |
| 25th percentile | $41,800 | $20.10 |
| Median | $46,020 | $22.12 |
| 75th percentile | $48,970 | $23.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Average (mean) | $46,880 | $22.54 |
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 | $3,835 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,917.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,770 |
| Weekly | $885 |
| Hourly | $22.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pipelayer salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $47,700 | 280 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $46,530 | 90 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $44,210 | 50 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $42,990 | 100 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $45,000 | $21.64 |
| Electrician | $61,090 | $29.37 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,600 | $28.17 |
| Carpenter | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,910 | $23.04 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $43,230 | $20.78 |
| Roofer | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $59,170 | $28.45 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $42,510 | $20.44 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $56,750 | $27.29 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $63,850 | $30.70 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for pipelayers in Tennessee is $46,020 a year, or $22.12 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 Tennessee?
The top 10% of pipelayers in Tennessee earn at least $59,590 a year. The top 25% earn $48,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for pipelayers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,810 a year, and a quarter of pipelayers earn $41,800 or less.
How many pipelayers work in Tennessee?
About 810 pipelayers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.