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

Official state-level BLS pay data for 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
$57,080
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.44
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $63,800
State Rank
#44 of 51
14,510 employed here

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

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $57,080 per year, or about $27.44 per hour. That is 11% below the national median of $63,800 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $38,860 while the top 10% make $75,850 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,550 and $63,290 a year.

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,860$18.68
25th percentile (early career)$46,550$22.38
50th percentile (median)$57,080$27.44
75th percentile (experienced)$63,290$30.43
90th percentile (top earners)$75,850$36.47

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 44th out of 51 states and territories for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$101,020
2Illinois$99,950
3Oregon$97,050
4Minnesota$94,410
5Alaska$93,920

Working as Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in North Carolina

Nationally, about 466,000 people work as 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 ($57,080) 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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters make in North Carolina?
The median Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in North Carolina is $57,080 per year, or about $27.44 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,860 at the entry level to $75,850 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters about 11% less than the national median of $63,800. North Carolina ranks 44th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,080 a year. About 14,510 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
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 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.