Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$43,710
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.01
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $42,360
State Rank
#19 of 48
3,070 employed here

How much do Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters make in North Carolina?

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in North Carolina take home a median of $43,710 annually — roughly $21.01 an hour — which runs 3% above the national median of $42,360.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $32,900 while the top 10% make $48,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,370 and $46,540 a year.

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$32,900$15.82
25th percentile (early career)$38,370$18.45
50th percentile (median)$43,710$21.01
75th percentile (experienced)$46,540$22.38
90th percentile (top earners)$48,380$23.26

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 19th out of 48 states and territories for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$56,140
2Hawaii$52,000
3New York$52,000
4Maine$48,410
5Arizona$47,990

Working as Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in North Carolina

Nationally, about 44,000 people work as Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($43,710) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters make in North Carolina?
The median Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in North Carolina is $43,710 per year, or about $21.01 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,900 at the entry level to $48,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters about 3% more than the national median of $42,360. North Carolina ranks 19th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $43,710 a year. About 3,070 Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters are employed in North Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.