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Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers out-earn Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters by $38K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters land at $42,360 and First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers at $79,920. The education gap is real: helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitter programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is Washington ($56,140); for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers it's Washington ($109,570).

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Median salary
$42,360
$79,920
Hourly rate
$20.36/hr
$38.42/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$33,590
$53,280
Senior level (90th %)
$57,780
$128,260
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
44,330
812,210
Job growth (10-year)
4.9%
5.3%
Category
Construction & Trades
Construction & Trades
Top-paying state
Washington
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters median pay.

State
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Washington
$56,140
$109,570
Hawaii
$52,000
$102,630
New York
$52,000
$95,700
Alaska
$47,290
$102,140
California
$47,130
$97,680
District of Columbia
$45,440
$86,520
Oregon
$44,800
$103,070
New Jersey
$44,360
$105,510
Massachusetts
$44,340
$97,850
Indiana
$42,240
$82,530
Wisconsin
$41,670
$85,350
Connecticut
$38,930
$92,260
Illinois
$38,300
$105,750
Vermont
$37,440
$82,490
Missouri
$34,630
$87,520

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers earn more nationally. The median is $42,360 for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters versus $79,920 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers, a difference of $38K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 5.3% projected growth, compared to 4.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters at $56,140/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earn $56,140 vs. $109,570 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfittersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workersGuide →