Pipelayers Salary in California
The median pay for a pipelayers in California is $78,090/year ($37.54/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $113K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $78K get you in California?
About pipelayers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level pipelayers (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K.Top earners bring in $113K or more - a $66K spread from bottom to top.
Pipelayers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $94K | +92% | 30 |
| Minnesota | $85K | +74% | 260 |
| Wisconsin | $81K | +67% | 430 |
| Washington | $80K | +65% | 1,360 |
| California | $78K | +60% | 1,720 |
| New York | $76K | +57% | 310 |
| Indiana | $75K | +55% | 1,160 |
| New Jersey | $71K | +45% | 610 |
| Michigan | $64K | +32% | 270 |
| Oregon | $64K | +32% | 590 |
| Nevada | $63K | +29% | 200 |
| Idaho | $63K | +29% | 100 |
| Arizona | $62K | +27% | 700 |
| Massachusetts | $61K | +25% | 130 |
| Pennsylvania | $61K | +25% | 450 |
Track pipelayers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do pipelayers make in California?
The median is $78,090 a year - that works out to about $37.54 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,420, and experienced pipelayers can clear $113,030. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,994/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 44.1% 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 pipelayers salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median pipelayers salary is worth about $78,090 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do pipelayers 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.