SOC 47-3015 · Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in Durham, NC

The average salary for helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in Durham, North Carolina is $44,130 a year ($21.22 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $45,340: half of the 110 people in this job in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is about the same as the U.S. average for this job ($43,730).

$44,130average per year

$21.22 / hourMedian $45,340Take-home ≈ $36,386

  • $35K10th
  • $42K25th
  • $45KMedian
  • $47K75th
  • $50K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

110people in this job
+1%vs U.S. average
#2 of 11North Carolina metros
98cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay range in Durham

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,360 a year or less, while the top 10% make $50,440 or more. The middle half of helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in Durham earn between $42,320 and $46,750.

  • $35K10th
  • $42K25th
  • $45KMedian
  • $47K75th
  • $50K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$44,130$3,678$21.22
Median$45,340$3,778$21.80
Entry level (25th percentile)$42,320$3,527$20.35
Experienced (75th percentile)$46,750$3,896$22.48

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay in Durham vs. North Carolina and the U.S.

Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in Durham earn 4% more than the North Carolina average ($42,240) and about the same as the U.S. average ($43,730). At the median the gap is +7% against the U.S. median of $42,360.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Durham$44,130$45,340$35,360$50,440110
North Carolina$42,240$43,710$32,900$48,3803,070
United States$43,730$42,360$33,590$57,78044,330

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary after taxes in Durham

On the average salary of $44,130, a single filer in Durham takes home about $36,386 a year, or $3,032 a month and $1,399 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).

North Carolina paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Durham a good place for helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Durham area are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.6), so the average $44,130 buys what about $45,228 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Durham ($60,720). A typical home costs $414,340, or 9.4 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $44,130 is worth in another city

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in other North Carolina cities

Durham ranks 2nd of 11 North Carolina metro areas for this job; Charlotte pays the most ($44,620).

All Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries in North Carolina

Highest-paying cities for helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

Seattle, WA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($65,600).

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary by city

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Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in Durham: questions

How much do helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make an hour in Durham?

$21.22 an hour on average, and $21.80 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters salary in Durham?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,360 a year and the 25th percentile is $42,320, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters take-home pay in Durham?

About $36,386 a year ($3,032 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $44,130.

Do helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn more in Durham than elsewhere?

The average here is about the same as the U.S. average for this job ($43,730).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 47-3015; area Durham-Chapel Hill, NC (20500). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.7%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.07, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

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