Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay range in Durham
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $43,820 a year or less, while the top 10% make $76,460 or more. The middle half of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in Durham earn between $48,370 and $65,040.
- $44K10th
- $48K25th
- $60KMedian
- $65K75th
- $76K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $58,630 | $4,886 | $28.19 |
| Median | $60,110 | $5,009 | $28.90 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $48,370 | $4,031 | $23.25 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $65,040 | $5,420 | $31.27 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay in Durham vs. North Carolina and the U.S.
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in Durham earn 3% more than the North Carolina average ($56,720) and 19% less than the U.S. average ($72,170). At the median the gap is -6% against the U.S. median of $63,800.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham | $58,630 | $60,110 | $43,820 | $76,460 | 620 |
| North Carolina | $56,720 | $57,080 | $38,860 | $75,850 | 14,510 |
| United States | $72,170 | $63,800 | $44,150 | $108,420 | 465,840 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary after taxes in Durham
On the average salary of $58,630, a single filer in Durham takes home about $47,459 a year, or $3,955 a month and $1,825 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Durham a good place for 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 $58,630 buys what about $60,089 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Durham ($60,720). A typical home costs $414,340, or 7.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in other North Carolina cities
Durham ranks 2nd of 15 North Carolina metro areas for this job; Raleigh pays the most ($60,290).
- Raleigh$60,290
- Durham$58,630
- Charlotte$58,140
- Greenville$56,470
- Wilmington$56,280
- Burlington$56,230
- Greensboro$56,230
- Asheville$56,120
- Jacksonville$56,010
- Rocky Mount$55,600
All Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries in North Carolina
Highest-paying cities for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($114,280).
- San Jose, CA$114,280
- Bellingham, WA$102,860
- Portland, OR$100,710
- Chicago, IL$96,430
- Seattle, WA$96,250
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in Durham: questions
How much do plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make an hour in Durham?
$28.19 an hour on average, and $28.90 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters salary in Durham?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $43,820 a year and the 25th percentile is $48,370, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters take-home pay in Durham?
About $47,459 a year ($3,955 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $58,630.
Do plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn more in Durham than elsewhere?
The average here is 19% less than the U.S. average for this job ($72,170).
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 47-2152; area Durham-Chapel Hill, NC (20500). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.8%.
- 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 0.60, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.60).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.