Pipelayers in West Virginia
Considering working as a Pipelayers in West Virginia? Below are the key facts. Lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains. Perform any combination of the following tasks: grade trenches or culverts, position pipe, or seal joints. Excludes “Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers” (51-4121).
What do Pipelayers Make in West Virginia?
The pipelayers working in West Virginia, wages run about $36,080 per year (or about $17.35/hour).Earnings range from $22,900 at the 10th percentile to $58,760 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22,900 | $11.01 |
| 25th percentile | $31,260 | $15.03 |
| Median (50th) | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| 75th percentile | $49,510 | $23.80 |
| 90th percentile | $58,760 | $28.25 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in West Virginia relative to the national average — is 1.55, suggesting that pipelayers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, pipelayers earn a median of $78,700 per year ($37.84/hour), below the West Virginia median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 490,711 pipelayers in the U.S.. In West Virginia alone, about 240 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 310 pipelayers.
Top West Virginia Metros for Pipelayers
The metro areas below employ the most pipelayers in West Virginia.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 60 | $47,940 |
| Charleston, WV | 30 | $35,360 |
Top States for Pipelayers Employment
The table below shows the states where the most pipelayers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 6,200 |
| Florida | 4,240 |
| North Carolina | 3,120 |
| Georgia | 1,860 |
| California | 1,720 |
| Washington | 1,360 |
| Virginia | 1,200 |
| Indiana | 1,160 |
| Ohio | 900 |
| Alabama | 720 |
| Utah | 710 |
| Tennessee | 710 |
| Arizona | 700 |
| Colorado | 680 |
| Maryland | 620 |
| New Jersey | 610 |
| Oregon | 590 |
| South Carolina | 530 |
| Nebraska | 500 |
| Pennsylvania | 450 |
Highest-Paying States for Pipelayers
Where pipelayers earn the most: pipelayers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $93,500 |
| Minnesota | $84,880 |
| Wisconsin | $81,300 |
| Washington | $80,280 |
| California | $78,090 |
| New York | $76,490 |
| Indiana | $75,320 |
| New Jersey | $70,780 |
| Michigan | $64,340 |
| Oregon | $64,110 |
Skills
Key pipelayers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for pipelayers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, pipelayers typically:
- Grade or level trench bases, using tamping machines or hand tools.
- Dig trenches to desired or required depths, by hand or using trenching tools.
- Cut pipes to required lengths.
- Install or use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, or transit levels.
- Cover pipes with earth or other materials.
- Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.
- Install or repair sanitary or stormwater sewer structures or pipe systems.
- Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers.
- Align and position pipes to prepare them for welding or sealing.
- Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints and coordinating layouts with supervisors.
- Tap and drill holes into pipes to introduce auxiliary lines or devices.
- Operate mechanized equipment, such as pickup trucks, rollers, tandem dump trucks, front-end loaders, or backhoes.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Coaching and Developing Others
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
Related Careers
Related occupations to pipelayers include:
- Boilermakers
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons
- Carpenters
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
- Construction Laborers
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Also Known As
Cast Iron Drain Pipe Layer, Drain Layer, Drain Tiler, Pipe Assembly Worker, Pipe Caulker, Pipe Connector, Pipe Cutter, Pipe Fitter, Pipe Installer, Pipe Layer, Pipe Liner, Pipe Setter, Pipe Wrapping Machine Operator, Pipelayer, Pipelaying Fitter.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 47-2151.00
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