Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earn a median $42,360 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
What helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters do
Help plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, or pipelayers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Construction laborers who do not primarily assist plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, or pipelayers are classified under "Construction Laborers" (47-2061). Apprentice workers are classified with the appropriate skilled construction trade occupation (47-2011 through 47-2231).
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.4% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 4,400
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,903
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,626
- Medicare (1.45%)$614
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$36,216
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,590 | $16.15 | $29,170 |
| 25th percentile | $36,940 | $17.76 | $31,861 |
| Median (50th) | $42,360 | $20.37 | $36,216 |
| 75th percentile | $47,720 | $22.94 | $40,523 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,780 | $27.78 | $48,606 |
Best cities for helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $52,000 | $41,751 | $37,091 | 4,360 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $52,000
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $56,140 | −3.6% | $47,288 | $36,780 – $78,980 | 600 |
| Hawaii | $52,000 | −6.6% | $41,534 | $34,130 – $61,150 | 180 |
| New York | $52,000 | +19.4% | $41,751 | $36,740 – $72,800 | 4,840 |
| Maine | $48,410 | +3.6% | $38,991 | $39,840 – $56,080 | — |
| Arizona | $47,990 | +14.8% | $39,749 | $35,820 – $60,210 | 460 |
| Alaska | $47,290 | −13.0% | $40,178 | $35,640 – $55,690 | 100 |
| California | $47,130 | −5.7% | $38,559 | $38,880 – $62,370 | 2,500 |
| Maryland | $46,170 | +21.1% | $37,448 | $36,050 – $60,840 | 970 |
| New Hampshire | $46,030 | +0.7% | $39,165 | $36,270 – $52,940 | 70 |
| Ohio | $45,760 | +16.3% | $38,472 | $35,520 – $56,980 | 1,090 |
| District of Columbia | $45,440 | +2.6% | $37,131 | $37,340 – $49,920 | — |
| Wyoming | $45,250 | +17.6% | $38,538 | $38,400 – $52,270 | 40 |
| Colorado | $45,030 | −1.0% | $37,089 | $38,600 – $55,260 | 240 |
| Oregon | $44,800 | +4.8% | $35,086 | $39,370 – $58,520 | 210 |
| Nebraska | $44,550 | +2.5% | $36,828 | $38,980 – $49,600 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $44,550 | +4.9% | $37,976 | $34,620 – $49,720 | 1,100 |
| New Jersey | $44,360 | +6.7% | $36,920 | $38,430 – $57,780 | 760 |
| Massachusetts | $44,340 | −8.7% | $35,810 | $38,570 – $58,860 | — |
| North Carolina | $43,710 | +16.0% | $36,066 | $32,900 – $48,380 | 3,070 |
| Utah | $43,380 | −3.2% | $36,050 | $28,850 – $55,690 | 390 |
| Kentucky | $43,330 | +15.7% | $35,597 | $33,420 – $48,540 | 960 |
| Michigan | $42,810 | −8.9% | $35,009 | $33,770 – $51,750 | 270 |
| Indiana | $42,240 | +16.6% | $34,903 | $32,850 – $57,980 | 390 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,150 | −1.5% | $34,754 | $36,240 – $51,370 | 920 |
| Texas | $41,950 | +9.5% | $35,887 | $35,030 – $54,180 | 7,210 |
| Wisconsin | $41,670 | +7.5% | $34,609 | $23,470 – $57,390 | 450 |
| Montana | $41,420 | −7.3% | $34,271 | $37,440 – $47,550 | 110 |
| Nevada | $41,100 | +15.7% | $35,204 | $33,760 – $57,740 | 350 |
| Kansas | $40,540 | +9.7% | $33,291 | $23,500 – $49,420 | 320 |
| Idaho | $40,120 | +4.3% | $33,398 | $37,540 – $66,610 | — |
| New Mexico | $40,100 | +8.1% | $33,643 | $35,150 – $49,140 | 400 |
| Oklahoma | $40,080 | +1.3% | $33,126 | $31,730 – $62,070 | 740 |
| South Carolina | $39,450 | +3.4% | $32,668 | $31,060 – $47,690 | 1,090 |
| Connecticut | $38,930 | +3.9% | $32,633 | $34,010 – $55,340 | 160 |
| Illinois | $38,300 | −6.7% | $31,203 | $34,550 – $46,430 | — |
| Virginia | $38,190 | −1.4% | $31,484 | $30,860 – $49,570 | 1,640 |
| Iowa | $37,870 | +1.5% | $31,821 | $31,680 – $57,100 | 350 |
| Georgia | $37,730 | +0.7% | $31,161 | $30,440 – $45,970 | 2,100 |
| Arkansas | $37,670 | +1.2% | $31,191 | $33,170 – $45,470 | 330 |
| Florida | $37,560 | −4.0% | $32,359 | $32,090 – $48,250 | 4,500 |
| Alabama | $37,440 | −2.7% | $30,656 | $27,080 – $47,650 | 770 |
| Mississippi | $37,440 | −1.4% | $31,497 | $28,860 – $43,760 | 400 |
| Vermont | $37,440 | — | $31,443 | $37,440 – $38,780 | 140 |
| Louisiana | $37,380 | +3.5% | $31,480 | $29,780 – $48,660 | 2,010 |
| South Dakota | $36,500 | +0.6% | $31,508 | $31,330 – $43,470 | 210 |
| Delaware | $36,070 | −2.0% | $29,837 | $32,300 – $43,800 | 140 |
| West Virginia | $35,930 | +8.0% | $30,086 | $27,760 – $45,220 | 130 |
| Missouri | $34,630 | −26.0% | $29,315 | $31,200 – $49,070 | 280 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helpers--Electrician | $42,670 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.6% |
| Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other | $42,670 | No formal educational credential | -1.0% |
| Helpers--Carpenter | $43,780 | No formal educational credential | -1.7% |
| Helpers--Roofer | $44,160 | No formal educational credential | -0.1% |
| Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons | $40,470 | No formal educational credential | +1.5% |
| Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters | $47,550 | No formal educational credential | -11.7% |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $46,960 | No formal educational credential | +3.6% |
| Construction Laborer | $47,120 | No formal educational credential | +7.3% |
| Helpers--Extraction Worker | $47,730 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.7% |
| Fence Erector | $47,980 | No formal educational credential | +5.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make?
The national median salary for helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is $42,360 a year ($20.37 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,590 and the top 10% earn over $57,780. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $56,140. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are there in the U.S.?
About 44,330 people work as helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters nationwide.