Pipelayers Salary
The median pay for a pipelayers in Minnesota is $81,980/year ($39.41/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $67K at the entry level to $101K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $88,531 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,384/month, or 26.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Minnesota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $82K get you in Minnesota?
About pipelayers
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What this looks like in Minnesota
Minnesota sits well above the national pay line for pipelayers, local pay runs about 67% higher than the U.S. median of $49K. Rent runs $1,384/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.6 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Minnesota
Entry-level pipelayers (10th percentile) start around $67K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K. Top earners bring in $101K or more, a $35K spread from bottom to top.
Pipelayers salary by metro in Minnesota
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $82K | +0% | 320 |
Compare to other states
Track pipelayers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Minnesota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a pipelayer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Minnesota?
Yes — at the median salary of $82K, rent takes 26.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,384/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for pipelayers in Minnesota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new pipelayers typically earn — is $67K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,997/month. At HUD’s $1,384/month FMR, rent would take 35% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is pipelayer a high-paying job in Minnesota?
Local pay is 67% above the national median — $82K here vs. $49K nationally.
How does Minnesota compare to the national average for pipelayers?
Minnesota pays $82K median vs. the U.S. average of $49K — that’s +67%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.6), the purchasing-power equivalent is $89K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do pipelayers make in Minnesota?
The median is $81,980 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $66,620, and experienced pipelayers can clear $101,360. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in Minnesota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,159/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,384/month, which eats 26.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a pipelayers salary go in Minnesota?
Minnesota has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (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 pipelayers salary is worth about $88,531 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.