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Pipelayers in South Carolina
Want to work as a Pipelayers in South Carolina? Here’s what you need to know. 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 South Carolina?
The pipelayers working in South Carolina, the typical annual salary is $44,480 per year (or about $21.39/hour).Earnings range from $36,690 at the 10th percentile to $59,630 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,690 | $17.64 |
| 25th percentile | $38,540 | $18.53 |
| Median (50th) | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| 75th percentile | $48,600 | $23.36 |
| 90th percentile | $59,630 | $28.67 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in South Carolina nationwide is 1.06.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, pipelayers earn a median of $78,700 per year ($37.84/hour), below the South Carolina median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 490,711 pipelayers nationwide. In South Carolina alone, approximately 530 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 310 pipelayers.
Top South Carolina Metros for Pipelayers
The largest metro-area employers of pipelayers in South Carolina.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 110 | $47,020 |
| Columbia, SC | 80 | $43,810 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | 70 | $40,600 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | 40 | $45,120 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 30 | $45,790 |
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
The most important pipelayers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities 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
Technologies frequently used: 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