How much do Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

Percentile spread

For Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, the published 10th percentile is $29,660 and the 90th percentile is $46,130. The difference is $16,470, which is 42.8% 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 $35,400 to the 75th at $43,680, covers $8,280.

The mean annual wage is $39,000, which sits above the median of $38,480. Median and mean measure different points in the same distribution.

National and state comparison

The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC median is 9.2% lower than the national median of $42,360 for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. In 2024 national prices the local median is $43,487, which is 2.7% higher than that same national median. The national figure is already in national prices because the United States parity is 100.

It is 12% lower than the North Carolina median of $43,710.

Price-adjusted pay

The 2024 all-items regional price parity for Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is 88.486, with the United States at 100. The Bureau of Economic Analysis released those parities on February 19, 2026. Dividing the May 2025 median of $38,480 by that parity and multiplying by 100 puts Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters at $43,487 in national prices. The wage year and the price year are different. Compare this wage after prices.

Nearby metros

20 other metropolitan areas within 200 miles publish a annual median for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC ranks 13th of 21 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).).

• Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is 58 miles away, with a median of $46,540 and employment of 960. That median is 20.9% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $47,808, against $43,487 here.
• Asheville, NC is 64 miles away, with a median of $43,040 and employment of 140. That median is 11.9% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $44,598, against $43,487 here.
• Winston-Salem, NC is 65 miles away, with a median of $38,710 and employment of 180. That median is 0.6% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $42,056, against $43,487 here.