SOC 47-3015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — Durham
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in Durham, NC is $45,340 per year, close to the national median of $42,360 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in Durham, NC is $45,340 per year, close to the national median of $42,360 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $35,360 at the tenth percentile to more than $50,440 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $42,320 to $46,750.
The area has 110 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.3 of every thousand jobs. Charlotte leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $46,540. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 355th of 453 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,360 | −16.5% |
| 25th | $42,320 | −0.1% |
| Median (50th) | $45,340 | +7.0% |
| 75th | $46,750 | +10.4% |
| 90th | $50,440 | +19.1% |
| Mean | $44,130 | +4.2% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte | $46,540 | 960 | |
| 2 | Greensboro | $46,420 | 340 | |
| 3 | Raleigh | $45,020 | 440 | |
| 4 | Asheville | $43,040 | 140 | |
| 5 | Wilmington | $40,670 | 150 | |
| 6 | Rocky Mount | $40,570 | 50 | |
| 7 | Burlington | $39,250 | 70 | |
| 8 | Winston-Salem | $38,710 | 180 | |
| 9 | Hickory | $38,480 | — | |
| 10 | Fayetteville | $38,220 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Durham run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $45,340 goes as far as $48,081 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,340as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,081US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,340 a year, 7.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,360 to $50,440 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 110 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charlotte, at $46,540.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in Durham, NC?
The median annual wage is $45,340, or $21.80 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $42,360, so pay in Durham, NC is 7.0% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Durham, NC earns more than $50,440 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,360 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Charlotte, at $46,540 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 110 jobs in this occupation in Durham, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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