Pipelayer Salary in Charlotte, NC
Pipelayers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $48,980 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $40,090 take-home, or $3,341 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median pipelayer salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,698
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,037
- Medicare (1.45%)$710
- North Carolina income tax$1,446
- Take-home pay$40,090
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Pipelayer pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,330 | $19.39 | $33,485 | $2,790 |
| 25th percentile | $46,490 | $22.35 | $38,188 | $3,182 |
| Median (50th) | $48,980 | $23.55 | $40,090 | $3,341 |
| 75th percentile | $59,180 | $28.45 | $47,879 | $3,990 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,860 | $28.78 | $48,398 | $4,033 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,980 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median pipelayer's $40,090 take-home pay has the buying power of $41,182 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Charlotte, NC has 4.1× the national concentration of pipelayer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for pipelayers, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #6 of 15 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $84,830 | $68,508 | $61,645 |
| 2 | Indianapolis, IN | $74,180 | $58,857 | $61,504 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $80,260 | $61,015 | $53,726 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $63,410 | $51,048 | $48,258 |
| 5 | Austin, TX | $48,440 | $41,102 | $41,912 |
| 6 | Charlotte, NC | $48,980 | $40,090 | $41,182 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $55,320 | $44,476 | $40,848 |
| 8 | Jacksonville, FL | $47,690 | $40,499 | $40,709 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 15 metros →
Pipelayer salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Raleigh, NC — $48,390
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pipelayer make in Charlotte, NC?
The median pipelayer salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $48,980 a year, or about $23.55 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,490 and $59,180.
What is a pipelayer’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $48,980 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $40,090 a year ($3,341 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,446 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a pipelayer?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $49,000. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $41,182 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #6 of 15 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a pipelayer afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 43% of a median pipelayer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlotte, NC
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $77,300
- Construction and Building Inspector — $75,570
- Electrician — $59,080
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $58,690
- Brickmason and Blockmason — $52,500
- Carpenter — $50,960
- Sheet Metal Worker — $50,890
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $50,870
- Highway Maintenance Worker — $49,470
- Roofer — $48,410
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker — $48,290
- Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $48,200