Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary: How Much Do They Make? (2026)

Median pay, hourly rates, salary ranges, and best-paying states for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — from official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Official BLS wage data · Unknown vintage
Median Salary
$42,360
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$20.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$57,780
entry level starts ~$33,590
Pay Grade
C
below-average pay · 44,000 employed

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

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earn a median annual salary of $42,360 in the United States, which works out to roughly $20.37 per hour for full-time work. Most earn between $33,590 at the entry level and $57,780 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $36,940 and $47,720 a year.

That is $19,030 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary range by percentile

Half of all Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earn between $36,940 and $47,720 a year.

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$33,590$16.15
25th percentile (early career)$36,940$17.76
50th percentile (median)$42,360$20.37
75th percentile (experienced)$47,720$22.94
90th percentile (top earners)$57,780$27.78

Highest-paying states for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Washington leads the country for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay at $56,140 a year, followed by Hawaii ($52,000) and New York ($52,000). At the other end, Missouri posts the lowest median at $34,630 — a gap of $21,510 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.

#StateMedian salaryHourlyvs national
1Washington$56,140$26.99+33%
2Hawaii$52,000$25.00+23%
3New York$52,000$25.00+23%
4Maine$48,410$23.27+14%
5Arizona$47,990$23.07+13%

Workforce and education

About 44,000 people work as Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $43,730 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters make in the United States?
The median Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in the United States is $42,360 per year, or about $20.37 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $33,590, while the top 10% of earners make $57,780 or more.
How does Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C (below-average pay), the Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters median of $42,360 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters the most?
Washington is the highest-paying state for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, with a median salary of $56,140 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters need?
For most positions, a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters work in the United States?
About 44,000 people were employed as Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.

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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.