Pipelayers Salary in California
Pipelayers in California earn a median annual wage of $76,180 —55.5% above the national median of $49,000. That ranks CA #5 of 44 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.37× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for pipelayers
All 44 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin | $86,870 | $41.77 | 350 | 0.56 |
| 2 | Washington | $82,450 | $39.64 | 1,050 | 1.40 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $81,980 | $39.41 | 510 | 0.82 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $78,830 | $37.90 | 400 | 0.44 |
| 5 | California | $76,180 | $36.63 | 1,420 | 0.37 |
| 6 | Indiana | $73,580 | $35.38 | 800 | 1.18 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $72,770 | $34.99 | — | — |
| 8 | Ohio | $71,560 | $34.41 | 1,160 | 0.99 |
| 9 | New York | $70,370 | $33.83 | 250 | 0.12 |
| 10 | Oregon | $64,230 | $30.88 | 620 | 1.49 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborers | $60,270 | $47,120 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $97,680 | $79,920 |
| Electricians | $76,160 | $63,190 |
| Carpenters | $75,920 | $60,580 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $59,850 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $63,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do pipelayers make in California?
The median annual wage for pipelayers in California is $76,180, or $36.63 per hour. That is 55.5% above the national median of $49,000.
What is the entry-level pipelayers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $50,650 per year ($24.35/hour). The 25th percentile is $61,870.
How many people work as pipelayers in California?
About 1,420 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for pipelayers?
California ranks #5 of 44 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.37x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays pipelayers the most?
Wisconsin has the highest median wage at $86,870 per year, followed by Washington ($82,450) and Minnesota ($81,980).