Pipelayers vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?
Pipelayers out-earn Construction Laborers by $2K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Pipelayers land at $49,000 and Construction Laborers at $47,120. The education gap is real: pipelayer programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while construction laborer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Pipelayers is Wisconsin ($86,870); for Construction Laborers it's Hawaii ($77,110).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Pipelayers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Pipelayers or Construction Laborers?
Pipelayers earn more nationally. The median is $49,000 for Pipelayers versus $47,120 for Construction Laborers, a difference of $2K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Pipelayers or Construction Laborers?
Construction Laborers has the better 10-year outlook at 7.3% projected growth, compared to -4.1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Pipelayers or Construction Laborers?
Pipelayers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Construction Laborers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Pipelayers get paid the most?
Wisconsin is the top-paying state for Pipelayers at $86,870/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Pipelayers vs. Construction Laborers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Wisconsin, Pipelayers earn $86,870 vs. $56,100 for Construction Laborers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.