10 Best U.S. Cities for Pipelaying Jobs in 2024

12/14/2023

Now is a great time to build a great career as a utility worker. Employment opportunities and wages are both on the rise. In fact, average industry hourly wages increased 20% from 2019 to 2023 alone.

New York City, USA - October 15, 2014: construction workers in New York City Roughly 560,000 utility workers help ensure that people have the electricity, water, heat and digital connectivity they need to live their everyday lives. Several factors fuel demand for those types of services, including population growth and new infrastructure installation, existing infrastructure replacement, and ongoing maintenance and repair. Thus, there are more employment opportunities in certain parts of the country than others. Employment opportunities may also vary depending on which segment of the broader utilities industry you’re seeking employment in.

Pipelayers lay pipe for storm and sanitation sewers, drains and water mains. More than 36,000 people are employed in this profession across the country. Pipelayers can be found in a variety of utility industry sectors. The highest concentration is within utility system construction, but pipelayers are also employed as public works employees in local governments, and by building contractors and heavy civil firms.

Employment Opportunities

The top 10 cities employing the most pipelayers are:

1. New York

2. Dallas

3. Houston

4. Phoenix

5. Charlotte, North Carolina

6. Austin, Texas

7. Miami

8. Atlanta

9. Seattle

10. Orlando, Florida

Wages and Compensation

Pipelayers earn nearly $25 an hour as an industry average. New York leads the way by paying an average of $40.73. Here’s a look at the top 10 cities for pipelayer wages:

1. New York

2. Minneapolis

3. Milwaukee

4. Seattle

5. Madison, Wisconsin

6. Green Bay, Wisconsin

7. Philadelphia

8. San Francisco

9. Boston

10. Pittsburgh

In conclusion

Choosing the best cities to seek employment as a pipelayer largely depends on where you’d like to live and work. Yes, certain states offer more employment opportunities and higher wages. But the industry as a whole is growing, is in urgent need of workers, and is paying higher wages than it has ever paid before. Now is a great time to build a great career as a pipelayer—whichever city you choose.

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