Pipelayer salary in Virginia
Pipelayers in Virginia earn a median of $48,700 a year ($23.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,080 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,140 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $49,000. Virginia ranks 26th of 44 states for pipelayers pay. There are 0.26 pipelayers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pipelayers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| 25th percentile | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Median | $48,700 | $23.41 |
| 75th percentile | $56,870 | $27.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,140 | $29.39 |
| Average (mean) | $49,610 | $23.85 |
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 | $4,058.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,029.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,873.08 |
| Weekly | $936.54 |
| Hourly | $23.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pipelayer salary in cities in Virginia
| 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 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $46,970 | 50 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $44,580 | 30 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $42,990 | 100 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $43,560 | $20.94 |
| Electrician | $62,900 | $30.24 |
| Carpenter | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $60,470 | $29.07 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $57,160 | $27.48 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $52,220 | $25.10 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,930 | $24.49 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $55,840 | $26.84 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $54,680 | $26.29 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| Roofer | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $48,060 | $23.10 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $57,010 | $27.41 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for pipelayers in Virginia is $48,700 a year, or $23.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pipelayers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of pipelayers in Virginia earn at least $61,140 a year. The top 25% earn $56,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for pipelayers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,130 a year, and a quarter of pipelayers earn $44,020 or less.
How many pipelayers work in Virginia?
About 1,080 pipelayers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.