Pipefitter.
Richmond.
$69,000
median salary, 5% above the national average
$53,000 to $90,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Pipefitter in Richmond earns a median of $69,000 in 2026. That is 5% above the national average. The range runs from $53,000 to $90,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Industrial pipefitters working in refineries, power plants, and pharmaceutical facilities earn the highest wages due to exacting tolerances and hazardous materials handling.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $62,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$45,000
to $55,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$59,000
to $72,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$76,000
to $90,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$86,000
to $107,000
Salary trend
+8% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $20,000 to the total package.
Base
$69,000
Equity
$12,000
Bonus
$7,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $89,000
How Richmond compares
Richmond, VA
$69,000
Cost of living: 1% above average
National Average
$66,000
Richmond is $3,000 above
Pipefitter salary by city
Salary by role in Richmond
What you should know
Here is what the Pipefitter market actually looks like in Richmond. Richmond combines a strong government and defense sector with growing technology and financial services industries. Capital One's headquarters drives significant fintech employment. The city's proximity to Washington DC creates spillover demand for federal contractors and tech workers seeking lower living costs. Industrial pipefitters working in refineries, power plants, and pharmaceutical facilities earn the highest wages due to exacting tolerances and hazardous materials handling. Welding certifications in combination with pipefitting significantly boost rates by 15 to 25%. Shutdown and turnaround work at petrochemical plants offers premium overtime packages that push annual earnings well above base.
Pipefitter apprentices start at $36,000 to $44,000 during their five year apprenticeship. Journeyman pipefitters earn $50,000 to $72,000, while foremen and project leads reach $75,000 to $95,000. Piping superintendents and estimators at industrial contractors command $95,000 to $130,000. In Richmond, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Union pipefitters receive benefits worth $18,000 to $28,000 annually including pension, health, and training funds. Travel assignments to industrial sites include per diem of $75 to $125 daily, and double-time overtime during shutdowns can dramatically increase take-home pay. And on the tax side: virginia's top income tax rate is 5.75%. Richmond has no city income tax. The moderate rate and reasonable cost of living create solid net compensation. When someone quotes you $69,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage DC corridor salary benchmarks. Richmond employers compete with Northern Virginia and DC for talent, especially in fintech and government contracting. The range for Pipefitters in Richmond runs from $53,000 to $90,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Electrician in Richmond earns $68,000 (1% less)
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Common questions.
Pipefitter salary in other cities
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