Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
In Chattanooga, TN-GA, helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn $38,340 at the median — $18.44 an hour. The range runs from $31K at the entry level to $47K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.46), which stretches that salary to about $41,920 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,390/month — about 50.4% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $38K get you in Chattanooga?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Chattanooga’s Regional Price Parity (91.46). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chattanooga, TN-GA
Entry-level helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (10th percentile) start around $31K. Mid-career wages sit at $38K. Top earners bring in $47K or more, a $15K spread from bottom to top.
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $58K | +48% | 820 |
| Hawaii | $56K | +42% | N/A |
| Alaska | $54K | +38% | 30 |
| North Dakota | $52K | +31% | 50 |
| California | $50K | +27% | 2,230 |
| Massachusetts | $49K | +24% | N/A |
| Michigan | $47K | +20% | 220 |
| Missouri | $47K | +19% | N/A |
| Maine | $47K | +19% | 330 |
| New Hampshire | $46K | +16% | 140 |
| Utah | $45K | +14% | 240 |
| Montana | $45K | +14% | 70 |
| District of Columbia | $44K | +13% | N/A |
| New York | $44K | +11% | 3,520 |
| Nebraska | $43K | +11% | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $43K | +9% | 660 |
| Oregon | $43K | +9% | 440 |
| Tennessee | $42K | +8% | 1,170 |
| Arizona | $42K | +6% | 840 |
| New Jersey | $42K | +6% | 360 |
| Illinois | $41K | +5% | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $40K | +1% | 850 |
| Ohio | $39K | +0% | 820 |
| Florida | $39K | -0% | 5,000 |
| Wisconsin | $39K | -1% | 580 |
| Virginia | $39K | -1% | 1,520 |
| Alabama | $38K | -2% | 770 |
| Idaho | $38K | -2% | 100 |
| Wyoming | $38K | -2% | 70 |
| Texas | $38K | -2% | 6,950 |
| South Carolina | $38K | -3% | 990 |
| Maryland | $38K | -3% | 880 |
| Mississippi | $38K | -3% | 460 |
| North Carolina | $38K | -4% | 3,740 |
| Connecticut | $37K | -5% | N/A |
| Georgia | $37K | -5% | 1,630 |
| Kentucky | $37K | -5% | 770 |
| Iowa | $37K | -5% | 220 |
| Arkansas | $37K | -5% | 730 |
| New Mexico | $37K | -6% | 660 |
| Kansas | $37K | -6% | 530 |
| Delaware | $37K | -6% | 130 |
| South Dakota | $36K | -8% | 240 |
| Indiana | $36K | -8% | 310 |
| Louisiana | $36K | -8% | 2,300 |
| Nevada | $36K | -10% | 360 |
| West Virginia | $33K | -15% | 200 |
Showing 1–10 of 47 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
How much do helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median is $38,340 a year, that works out to about $18 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,410, and experienced helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters can clear $46,580. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $38K enough to live in Chattanooga?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,737/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,390/month, which eats 50.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters salary go in Chattanooga?
Chattanooga has a Regional Price Parity of 91.46 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters salary is worth about $41,920 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.