Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary by state
What Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitterss do
Typical education: High School Diploma
Measure, cut, thread and assemble new pipe, placing the assembled pipe in hangers or other supports.
Cut or drill holes in walls or floors to accommodate the passage of pipes.
Perform rough-ins, repair and replace fixtures and water heaters, and locate, repair, or remove leaking or broken pipes.
Assist pipe fitters in the layout, assembly, and installation of piping for air, ammonia, gas, and water systems.
Cut pipe and lift up to fitters.
Top skills:MonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningCoordinationRepairing
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay by experience level
Entry level$35,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$38,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$44,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$49,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$60,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+4.9%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
4,900
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary by industry
Specialty Trade Contractors
39,780 workers
$45,000
Building Equipment Contractors
39,160 workers
$45,000
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
1,550 workers
$46,500
Utility System Construction
1,220 workers
$47,000
Construction of Buildings
1,130 workers
$42,500
Nonresidential Building Construction
790 workers
$44,000
Other Specialty Trade Contractors
510 workers
$41,500
Administrative and Support Services
430 workers
$45,000
Residential Building Construction
340 workers
$39,000
Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
270 workers
$45,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pays 31% below the average across 63 roles in the Construction and Extraction job family (family average $65,000).
Similar-paying roles in Construction and Extraction
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters make?
The average base salary for a Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in the United States is $45,000 per year, or about $21.63 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $38,000 and $49,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Construction and Extraction roles?
The Construction and Extraction job family averages $65,000 across 63 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
