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Salary comparison

Pipelayers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers out-earn Pipelayers by $31K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Pipelayers land at $49,000 and First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers at $79,920. The education gap is real: pipelayer 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 Pipelayers is Wisconsin ($86,870); for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers it's Washington ($109,570).

Pipelayers
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Median salary
$49,000
$79,920
Hourly rate
$23.56/hr
$38.42/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$37,730
$53,280
Senior level (90th %)
$80,170
$128,260
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
33,050
812,210
Job growth (10-year)
-4.1%
5.3%
Category
Construction & Trades
Construction & Trades
Top-paying state
Wisconsin
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Pipelayers median pay.

State
Pipelayers
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Wisconsin
$86,870
$85,350
Washington
$82,450
$109,570
Minnesota
$81,980
$97,610
New Jersey
$78,830
$105,510
California
$76,180
$97,680
Indiana
$73,580
$82,530
Massachusetts
$72,770
$97,850
New York
$70,370
$95,700
Oregon
$64,230
$103,070
Nevada
$63,570
$81,990
Colorado
$59,740
$81,230
District of Columbia
$55,470
$86,520
Illinois
$49,590
$105,750
North Dakota
$47,810
$81,370
Pennsylvania
$41,600
$81,540

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Pipelayers 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 $49,000 for Pipelayers versus $79,920 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers, a difference of $31K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Pipelayers 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 -4.1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

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

Pipelayers 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 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. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Wisconsin, Pipelayers earn $86,870 vs. $85,350 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Pipelayers salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Pipelayers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a pipelayersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workersGuide →