Skilled Trades
Pipelayers
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.
Median salary (BLS)
$49,000
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$38k – $80k
Job outlook
No separate BLS projection for this specific role
AI exposure
Plan a path to Pipelayers
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateLicense requiredCost to qualify
$100–$2,600
Time to qualify
3.1 yr
Renewal
$50/yr
- 1
Registered apprenticeship (paid)
ExperienceEarn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.
$0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source
- 2
Journeyman exam & state/local license
LicenseMost states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.
$100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source
Estimated typical U.S. route for "Pipelayers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.
Typical progression
Junior Pipelayers
Entry / Junior
$37,730
~2 yrs to advance
Pipelayers
Established
$49,000
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Pipelayers
Senior
$64,585
Key skills
A typical day
- •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.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.