Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary
The median pay for a plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in North Dakota is $63,560/year ($30.56/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $84K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.89), which stretches that salary to about $71,504 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,034/month, or 24.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $64K get you in North Dakota?
About plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in North Dakota
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters pay in North Dakota tracks closely to the national median, $64K locally vs. $64K nationwide, a 0% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,034/month, 23.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% 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, North Dakota
Entry-level plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $64K. Top earners bring in $84K or more, a $38K spread from bottom to top.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary by metro in North Dakota
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $70K | +11% | 220 |
| Fargo | $63K | -0% | 670 |
| Grand Forks | $63K | -1% | 240 |
| Minot | $62K | -2% | 150 |
Compare to other states
Track plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Dakota numbers change.
Related careers in Construction & Trades
Frequently asked questions
Can a plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitter afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $64K, rent takes 23.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,034/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in North Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters typically earn — is $46K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,731/month. At HUD’s $1,034/month FMR, rent would take 38% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitter a high-paying job in North Dakota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $64K locally vs. $64K nationally, a 0% difference.
How does North Dakota compare to the national average for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters?
North Dakota pays $64K median vs. the U.S. average of $64K — that’s +0%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $72K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make in North Dakota?
The median is $63,560 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,520, and experienced plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters can clear $83,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $64K enough to live in North Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,322/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,034/month, which eats 23.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters salary go in North Dakota?
North Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 88.89 (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 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters salary is worth about $71,504 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do 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.