Prevailing Wage for Pipelayers
Prevailing wage requirements for Pipelayers (SOC 47-2151) are set by DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data. DOL divides the floor into four experience-based levels, and the threshold shifts considerably depending on the worksite city listed on the Labor Condition Application. Sponsored candidates should confirm the offer clears the local floor before accepting.
See all jobs for PipelayersLook up your work address
Entry-level pipelayers with limited hands-on experience, typically working under close supervision on straightforward trench grading, pipe positioning, or joint sealing tasks. Usually no independent judgment on grade calculations or crew coordination. Common for candidates new to underground utility construction.
Qualified pipelayers with enough field experience to work with moderate supervision, handling standard sewer, drain, and water main installations without step-by-step direction. Level 2 is the most common filing level for this occupation, reflecting journeyman-level proficiency on municipal and commercial projects.
Experienced pipelayers who regularly exercise independent judgment, handle non-routine site conditions, and may mentor junior crew members. Typically several years of progressively complex underground utility work across varied soil conditions, trench depths, and pipe materials.
Fully competent pipelayers at senior or lead scope, directing crew operations, interpreting construction drawings, coordinating with inspectors, and managing quality control across large-diameter or high-pressure pipeline installations. Employers filing at this level expect minimal supervision and broad technical authority.
Prevailing Wage for Pipelayers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
See all jobs for Pipelayers
See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Pipelayers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Pipelayers
Confirm your filing level matches field scope
Pipelayer filings cluster at Level 2, but employers sometimes file at Level 1 for journeyman roles to reduce wage obligations. If your day-to-day work involves independent pipe grading or joint inspection without close supervision, Level 1 likely understates your actual scope.
Watch the wage gap between Wisconsin and Puerto Rico
The prevailing wage floor for this occupation varies more sharply by metro than many construction trades. Madison and Milwaukee post floors roughly three to four times higher than San Juan. If your offer is in a low-wage metro, verify the local figure before negotiating base pay.
Exclude signing bonuses from your wage floor calculation
DOL requires the prevailing wage to be paid as a regular recurring wage, not averaged with one-time signing bonuses or per-diem allowances. Pipelayers on sponsored visas should confirm that base hourly or annual pay alone clears the floor, not total first-year compensation.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsors with pipelayer history
Municipal contractors and utility companies that have sponsored pipelayers before are more likely to navigate the LCA process correctly. Migrate Mate shows each employer's historical visa sponsorship counts, letting you filter to companies that have actually sponsored this type of construction role.
Jobs for Pipelayers are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for PipelayersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 47-2151.00 alongside Pipelayers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Tailman Prevailing Wage
Tailman Prevailing Wage
Tailman positions fall under SOC 47-2151.00 (Pipelayers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Pipelayers?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data, collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to calculate prevailing wages for each SOC code and metropolitan area. For SOC 47-2151, DOL maps the survey distributions into four wage levels. Employers filing a Labor Condition Application must pay at least the level that matches the sponsored worker's experience and the worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify mine?
Level 1 covers entry-level workers under close supervision with little independent judgment. Level 2 reflects qualified, journeyman-level work with moderate supervision, and is the most common filing level for pipelayers. Level 3 applies to experienced workers exercising independent judgment. Level 4 covers lead or senior roles directing crew operations. Match your level to the actual scope of work in your job duties, not just your job title.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same pipelayer role vary so much by city?
DOL calculates prevailing wages from regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so each metropolitan statistical area produces its own wage distribution. A worksite in Madison, WI reflects local union density, contractor demand, and project scale, while one in Brownsville, TX reflects a different labor market entirely. The worksite address listed on the Labor Condition Application determines which metro's floor applies, not the employer's headquarters.
What happens if a sponsored pipelayer's offered wage falls below the prevailing wage floor?
DOL will not certify the Labor Condition Application, and USCIS will not approve the visa petition without a certified LCA. If an employer submits an LCA with a wage below the prevailing wage for the listed worksite and level, OFLC flags the filing during review. The employer must either raise the offered wage to meet the floor or withdraw the petition.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific pipelayer location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, which lets you look up current prevailing wages by SOC code (47-2151), wage level, and metropolitan area. Enter the worksite metro and select the appropriate experience level to see the binding floor. Migrate Mate can also show you which employers have a history of sponsoring pipelayer roles, so you can target companies already familiar with the LCA wage requirements in your target city.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Pipelayers right now.
Search Jobs for Pipelayers