Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-3015) earn a median $42,360 a year ($20.36 an hour) in the United States, with 44,330 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Washington.
What helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters do
Helpers in this group assist plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters and pipelayers with duties requiring less skill, such as using, supplying and holding materials and tools and cleaning the work area and equipment. A helper measures, cuts, threads and assembles new pipe and places the assembled pipe in hangers or other supports, and cuts pipe and lifts it up to the fitters. They cut or drill holes in walls and floors for pipes to pass, mount brackets and hangers on walls and ceilings, and set sleeves or inserts. Helpers also do rough-in work, fix and swap out fixtures and water heaters, and find, mend or remove leaking or broken pipes. They help lay out, assemble and install piping for air, ammonia, gas and water systems, fit valves and couplings to tanks, pumps or systems, requisition tools, select the type and size of pipe, and collect and transport materials to the work site. The skilled trades are classified separately as plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) and pipelayers (47-2151), and construction laborers who do not primarily support the piping crew are in 47-2061.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report a high school diploma or the equivalent as the education needed.
Also called: Conduit Helper, Gas Main Fitter Helper, Hydraulic Plumber Helper, Industrial Gas Fitter Helper, Journeyman Plumber.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $16.15 | $17.76 | $20.36 | $22.94 | $27.78 | $21.03 | 44,330 |
| Annual | $33,590 | $36,940 | $42,360 | $47,720 | $57,780 | $43,730 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Washington | Hourly | $17.68 | $21.76 | $26.99 | $32.61 | $37.97 | $28.11 | 600 | 0.17 | 0.59 |
| Annual | $36,780 | $45,250 | $56,140 | $67,830 | $78,980 | $58,480 | ||||
| Hawaii | Hourly | $16.41 | $18.98 | $25.00 | $28.50 | $29.40 | $24.37 | 180 | 0.29 | 1.02 |
| Annual | $34,130 | $39,480 | $52,000 | $59,290 | $61,150 | $50,680 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $17.66 | $18.62 | $25.00 | $31.71 | $35.00 | $25.67 | 4,840 | 0.50 | 1.75 |
| Annual | $36,740 | $38,730 | $52,000 | $65,950 | $72,800 | $53,390 | ||||
| Maine | Hourly | $19.15 | $19.81 | $23.27 | $24.86 | $26.96 | $22.75 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $39,840 | $41,210 | $48,410 | $51,710 | $56,080 | $47,310 | ||||
| Arizona | Hourly | $17.22 | $18.17 | $23.07 | $27.56 | $28.95 | $22.97 | 460 | 0.14 | 0.50 |
| Annual | $35,820 | $37,800 | $47,990 | $57,320 | $60,210 | $47,790 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Texas | Hourly | $16.84 | $17.97 | $20.17 | $22.46 | $26.05 | $20.56 | 7,210 | 0.51 | 1.80 |
| Annual | $35,030 | $37,370 | $41,950 | $46,720 | $54,180 | $42,770 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $17.66 | $18.62 | $25.00 | $31.71 | $35.00 | $25.67 | 4,840 | 0.50 | 1.75 |
| Annual | $36,740 | $38,730 | $52,000 | $65,950 | $72,800 | $53,390 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $15.43 | $17.00 | $18.06 | $21.35 | $23.20 | $19.10 | 4,500 | 0.45 | 1.59 |
| Annual | $32,090 | $35,360 | $37,560 | $44,410 | $48,250 | $39,720 | ||||
| North Carolina | Hourly | $15.82 | $18.45 | $21.02 | $22.38 | $23.26 | $20.31 | 3,070 | 0.62 | 2.18 |
| Annual | $32,900 | $38,370 | $43,710 | $46,540 | $48,380 | $42,240 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $18.69 | $19.75 | $22.66 | $26.38 | $29.99 | $23.59 | 2,500 | 0.14 | 0.48 |
| Annual | $38,880 | $41,070 | $47,130 | $54,870 | $62,370 | $49,080 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Hourly | $20.93 | $25.30 | $31.54 | $36.33 | $43.73 | $31.54 | 280 | 0.14 | 0.47 |
| Annual | $43,530 | $52,610 | $65,600 | $75,560 | $90,960 | $65,600 | ||||
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | Hourly | $19.81 | $24.88 | $30.39 | $30.70 | $31.80 | $27.90 | 90 | 0.43 | 1.49 |
| Annual | $41,200 | $51,740 | $63,210 | $63,860 | $66,140 | $58,030 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $17.88 | $20.76 | $25.00 | $31.73 | $35.00 | $26.05 | 4,360 | 0.46 | 1.61 |
| Annual | $37,190 | $43,180 | $52,000 | $65,990 | $72,800 | $54,180 | ||||
| Urban Honolulu, HI | Hourly | $16.41 | $18.54 | $25.00 | $28.50 | $28.72 | $24.04 | 120 | 0.27 | 0.94 |
| Annual | $34,130 | $38,560 | $52,000 | $59,290 | $59,740 | $50,010 | ||||
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | Hourly | $17.00 | $17.51 | $24.97 | $30.52 | $32.43 | $24.65 | 100 | 0.39 | 1.37 |
| Annual | $35,360 | $36,410 | $51,940 | $63,480 | $67,450 | $51,280 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $17.88 | $20.76 | $25.00 | $31.73 | $35.00 | $26.05 | 4,360 | 0.46 | 1.61 |
| Annual | $37,190 | $43,180 | $52,000 | $65,990 | $72,800 | $54,180 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $17.15 | $18.37 | $21.00 | $22.82 | $26.55 | $21.11 | 2,330 | 0.58 | 2.02 |
| Annual | $35,660 | $38,200 | $43,680 | $47,470 | $55,220 | $43,910 | ||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $17.89 | $18.41 | $21.52 | $23.40 | $28.17 | $21.59 | 1,500 | 0.46 | 1.60 |
| Annual | $37,210 | $38,290 | $44,750 | $48,680 | $58,580 | $44,910 | ||||
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | Hourly | $17.00 | $17.50 | $18.04 | $21.37 | $23.42 | $19.44 | 1,260 | 0.45 | 1.56 |
| Annual | $35,360 | $36,390 | $37,520 | $44,450 | $48,710 | $40,440 | ||||
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | Hourly | $16.81 | $17.91 | $19.06 | $21.09 | $22.10 | $19.72 | 1,100 | 0.38 | 1.33 |
| Annual | $34,960 | $37,260 | $39,650 | $43,860 | $45,970 | $41,010 | ||||
Top industries employing helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Building Equipment Contractors employ 88.3% of helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters nationally (39,160 jobs) at a median $42,210 a year ($20.29 an hour), followed by Utility System Construction (2.8%) and Nonresidential Building Construction (1.8%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Equipment Contractors NAICS 238200 | 39,160 | 88.3% | $42,210 | $20.29 |
| Utility System Construction NAICS 237100 | 1,220 | 2.8% | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction NAICS 236200 | 790 | 1.8% | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors NAICS 238900 | 510 | 1.2% | $41,080 | $19.75 |
| Residential Building Construction NAICS 236100 | 340 | 0.8% | $35,950 | $17.29 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (44,330). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $35,720 for helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in May 2021 and $42,360 in May 2025, with employment of 45,930 and 44,330.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $35,720 | $17.18 | 45,930 |
| May 2022 | $36,340 | $17.47 | 46,760 |
| May 2023 | $37,650 | $18.10 | 45,300 |
| May 2024 | $39,270 | $18.88 | 43,640 |
| May 2025 | $42,360 | $20.36 | 44,330 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
48 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington profile | $26.99 | $56,140 | $36,780 | $78,980 | 600 | 0.17 | 0.59 |
| 2 | Hawaii profile | $25.00 | $52,000 | $34,130 | $61,150 | 180 | 0.29 | 1.02 |
| 3 | New York profile | $25.00 | $52,000 | $36,740 | $72,800 | 4,840 | 0.50 | 1.75 |
| 4 | Maine profile | $23.27 | $48,410 | $39,840 | $56,080 | ** | ** | ** |
| 5 | Arizona profile | $23.07 | $47,990 | $35,820 | $60,210 | 460 | 0.14 | 0.50 |
| 6 | Alaska profile | $22.74 | $47,290 | $35,640 | $55,690 | 100 | 0.31 | 1.07 |
| 7 | California profile | $22.66 | $47,130 | $38,880 | $62,370 | 2,500 | 0.14 | 0.48 |
| 8 | Maryland profile | $22.20 | $46,170 | $36,050 | $60,840 | 970 | 0.35 | 1.23 |
| 9 | New Hampshire profile | $22.13 | $46,030 | $36,270 | $52,940 | 70 | 0.10 | 0.36 |
| 10 | Ohio profile | $22.00 | $45,760 | $35,520 | $56,980 | 1,090 | 0.20 | 0.69 |
| 11 | District of Columbia profile | $21.85 | $45,440 | $37,340 | $49,920 | ** | ** | ** |
| 12 | Wyoming profile | $21.75 | $45,250 | $38,400 | $52,270 | 40 | 0.13 | 0.45 |
| 13 | Colorado profile | $21.65 | $45,030 | $38,600 | $55,260 | 240 | 0.09 | 0.30 |
| 14 | Oregon profile | $21.54 | $44,800 | $39,370 | $58,520 | 210 | 0.11 | 0.38 |
| 15 | Nebraska profile | $21.42 | $44,550 | $38,980 | $49,600 | 70 | 0.07 | 0.24 |
| 16 | Tennessee profile | $21.42 | $44,550 | $34,620 | $49,720 | 1,100 | 0.34 | 1.17 |
| 17 | New Jersey profile | $21.33 | $44,360 | $38,430 | $57,780 | 760 | 0.18 | 0.62 |
| 18 | Massachusetts profile | $21.32 | $44,340 | $38,570 | $58,860 | ** | ** | ** |
| 19 | North Carolina profile | $21.02 | $43,710 | $32,900 | $48,380 | 3,070 | 0.62 | 2.18 |
| 20 | Utah profile | $20.86 | $43,380 | $28,850 | $55,690 | 390 | 0.23 | 0.79 |
| 21 | Kentucky profile | $20.83 | $43,330 | $33,420 | $48,540 | 960 | 0.48 | 1.68 |
| 22 | Michigan profile | $20.58 | $42,810 | $33,770 | $51,750 | 270 | 0.06 | 0.21 |
| 23 | Indiana profile | $20.31 | $42,240 | $32,850 | $57,980 | 390 | 0.12 | 0.43 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania profile | $20.27 | $42,150 | $36,240 | $51,370 | 920 | 0.15 | 0.53 |
| 25 | Texas profile | $20.17 | $41,950 | $35,030 | $54,180 | 7,210 | 0.51 | 1.80 |
| 26 | Wisconsin profile | $20.03 | $41,670 | $23,470 | $57,390 | 450 | 0.15 | 0.53 |
| 27 | Montana profile | $19.91 | $41,420 | $37,440 | $47,550 | 110 | 0.22 | 0.75 |
| 28 | Nevada profile | $19.76 | $41,100 | $33,760 | $57,740 | 350 | 0.23 | 0.80 |
| 29 | Kansas profile | $19.49 | $40,540 | $23,500 | $49,420 | 320 | 0.22 | 0.79 |
| 30 | Idaho profile | $19.29 | $40,120 | $37,540 | $66,610 | ** | ** | ** |
| 31 | New Mexico profile | $19.28 | $40,100 | $35,150 | $49,140 | 400 | 0.46 | 1.61 |
| 32 | Oklahoma profile | $19.27 | $40,080 | $31,730 | $62,070 | 740 | 0.43 | 1.51 |
| 33 | South Carolina profile | $18.97 | $39,450 | $31,060 | $47,690 | 1,090 | 0.47 | 1.66 |
| 34 | Connecticut profile | $18.72 | $38,930 | $34,010 | $55,340 | 160 | 0.10 | 0.33 |
| 35 | Illinois profile | $18.42 | $38,300 | $34,550 | $46,430 | ** | ** | ** |
| 36 | Virginia profile | $18.36 | $38,190 | $30,860 | $49,570 | 1,640 | 0.40 | 1.40 |
| 37 | Iowa profile | $18.21 | $37,870 | $31,680 | $57,100 | 350 | 0.22 | 0.78 |
| 38 | Georgia profile | $18.14 | $37,730 | $30,440 | $45,970 | 2,100 | 0.43 | 1.51 |
| 39 | Arkansas profile | $18.11 | $37,670 | $33,170 | $45,470 | 330 | 0.25 | 0.89 |
| 40 | Florida profile | $18.06 | $37,560 | $32,090 | $48,250 | 4,500 | 0.45 | 1.59 |
| 41 | Alabama profile | $18.00 | $37,440 | $27,080 | $47,650 | 770 | 0.37 | 1.28 |
| 42 | Mississippi profile | $18.00 | $37,440 | $28,860 | $43,760 | 400 | 0.35 | 1.22 |
| 43 | Vermont profile | $18.00 | $37,440 | $37,440 | $38,780 | 140 | 0.47 | 1.64 |
| 44 | Louisiana profile | $17.97 | $37,380 | $29,780 | $48,660 | 2,010 | 1.04 | 3.65 |
| 45 | South Dakota profile | $17.55 | $36,500 | $31,330 | $43,470 | 210 | 0.46 | 1.61 |
| 46 | Delaware profile | $17.34 | $36,070 | $32,300 | $43,800 | 140 | 0.29 | 1.01 |
| 47 | West Virginia profile | $17.27 | $35,930 | $27,760 | $45,220 | 130 | 0.19 | 0.66 |
| 48 | Missouri profile | $16.65 | $34,630 | $31,200 | $49,070 | 280 | 0.10 | 0.34 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (47-3010), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Construction and Extraction Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 47-3015 Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 47-3015, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 47-3015.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.