Pipelayer salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Pipelayers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $47,820 a year ($22.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,140 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $49,000. Pay here is 2% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $48,700. There are 0.34 pipelayers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pipelayers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,020 | $17.80 |
| 25th percentile | $42,650 | $20.51 |
| Median | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| 75th percentile | $57,520 | $27.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,140 | $29.88 |
| Average (mean) | $49,020 | $23.57 |
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 | $3,985 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,992.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,839.23 |
| Weekly | $919.62 |
| Hourly | $22.99 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $55,320 | 660 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $48,980 | 1,170 |
| Richmond, VA | $48,700 | 240 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $48,390 | 640 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $48,190 | 50 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $47,550 | 120 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $47,150 | 190 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $46,970 | 50 |
| 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 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $44,580 | 30 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $44,000 | 70 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $43,260 | 100 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $43,230 | 50 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $42,990 | 100 |
| 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 |
See Pipelayer pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| Construction Laborer | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $61,870 | $29.75 |
| Carpenter | $51,500 | $24.76 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $52,060 | $25.03 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $63,390 | $30.48 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $58,630 | $28.19 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $50,370 | $24.22 |
| Roofer | $46,480 | $22.34 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $43,730 | $21.03 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for pipelayers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $47,820 a year, or $22.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pipelayers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of pipelayers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $62,140 a year. The top 25% earn $57,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for pipelayers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,020 a year, and a quarter of pipelayers earn $42,650 or less.
How many pipelayers work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 260 pipelayers are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.