How much do Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

Percentile spread

For Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, the published 10th percentile is $33,910 and the 90th percentile is $57,870. The difference is $23,960, which is 50.2% of the median. Ten percent of measured wages fall below the 10th percentile and ten percent fall above the 90th. How to read a percentile.

The middle half of the distribution, from the 25th percentile at $39,000 to the 75th at $57,110, covers $18,110.

The mean annual wage is $47,150, which sits below the median of $47,710. Median and mean measure different points in the same distribution.

National and state comparison

The Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA median is 12.6% higher than the national median of $42,360 for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. In 2024 national prices the local median is $52,028, which is 22.8% higher than that same national median. The national figure is already in national prices because the United States parity is 100.

It is 26% higher than the Iowa median of $37,870.

Price-adjusted pay

The 2024 all-items regional price parity for Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is 91.701, with the United States at 100. The Bureau of Economic Analysis released those parities on February 19, 2026. Dividing the May 2025 median of $47,710 by that parity and multiplying by 100 puts Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters at $52,028 in national prices. The wage year and the price year are different. Compare this wage after prices.

Nearby metros

2 other metropolitan areas within 200 miles publish a annual median for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ranks 1st of 3 on that median, counting itself. Distance is the great-circle mileage between Census Bureau internal points (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files, Core Based Statistical Areas, internal points (INTPTLAT, INTPTLONG).).

• Cedar Rapids, IA is 115 miles away, with a median of $35,320 and employment of 40. That median is 26% lower than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $39,702, against $52,028 here.
• Omaha, NE-IA is 118 miles away, with a median of $37,990 and employment of 50. That median is 20.4% lower than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $41,333, against $52,028 here.