Pipelayer salary in West Virginia
Pipelayers in West Virginia earn a median of $40,440 a year ($19.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,680 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $49,000. West Virginia ranks 43rd 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 $42,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pipelayers in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,660 | $15.22 |
| 25th percentile | $35,850 | $17.23 |
| Median | $40,440 | $19.44 |
| 75th percentile | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,680 | $28.21 |
| Average (mean) | $42,900 | $20.62 |
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 | $3,370 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,685 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,555.38 |
| Weekly | $777.69 |
| Hourly | $19.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pipelayer salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $55,320 | 660 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $53,880 | 50 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $51,300 | $24.66 |
| Construction Laborer | $42,670 | $20.51 |
| Electrician | $64,810 | $31.16 |
| Carpenter | $48,710 | $23.42 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $56,980 | $27.39 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $51,950 | $24.98 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $44,230 | $21.26 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $72,390 | $34.81 |
| Roofer | $51,170 | $24.60 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $51,230 | $24.63 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $71,850 | $34.54 |
| Glazier | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $74,200 | $35.68 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in West 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 West Virginia?
The median salary for pipelayers in West Virginia is $40,440 a year, or $19.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pipelayers make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of pipelayers in West Virginia earn at least $58,680 a year. The top 25% earn $46,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for pipelayers in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,660 a year, and a quarter of pipelayers earn $35,850 or less.
How many pipelayers work in West Virginia?
About 180 pipelayers are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.