California Median
$76,180
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+55% vs US median
US median $49,000
State Rank
#5 of 44
1,420 employed here
How much does a Pipelayer make in California?
Pipelayers in California take home a median of $76,180 annually — roughly $36.63 an hour — which runs 55% above the national median of $49,000.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $50,650 while the top 10% make $108,790 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,870 and $94,560 a year.
Pipelayer salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,650 | $24.35 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $61,870 | $29.75 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $76,180 | $36.63 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $94,560 | $45.46 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,790 | $52.30 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 5th out of 44 states and territories for Pipelayer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Pipelayer salary in other states
Wisconsin $86,870Washington $82,450Minnesota $81,980New Jersey $78,830Indiana $73,580Massachusetts $72,770Ohio $71,560New York $70,370Oregon $64,230Nevada $63,570Arizona $62,740Michigan $61,560Colorado $59,740Kentucky $58,820Idaho $58,650Delaware $58,240Maryland $55,640District of Columbia $55,470Iowa $53,990New Hampshire $53,870Utah $52,000Maine $50,980South Dakota $50,650Illinois $49,590Virginia $48,700Montana $48,080North Dakota $47,810Kansas $47,390Florida $47,260North Carolina $47,220Georgia $46,220Tennessee $46,020Texas $45,620New Mexico $45,550Oklahoma $45,190South Carolina $45,180Alabama $44,550Nebraska $44,470Louisiana $44,340Mississippi $41,900Pennsylvania $41,600West Virginia $40,440Arkansas $37,650
Working as a Pipelayer in California
Nationally, about 33,000 people work as Pipelayers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($76,180) 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 does a Pipelayer make in California?
The median Pipelayer salary in California is $76,180 per year, or about $36.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,650 at the entry level to $108,790 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Pipelayers about 55% more than the national median of $49,000. California ranks 5th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Pipelayers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $76,180 a year. About 1,420 Pipelayers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Pipelayer 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.