Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Pipelayers salary really buy you in Virginia?
Virginia is 2.1% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Virginia's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 102.1, meaning prices are 2.1% higher the national average. A Pipelayers earning $48,700 in Virginia has the equivalent purchasing power of $47,698 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Virginia's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $38,130 | $37,345 | $-784 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $44,020 | $43,114 | $-905 |
| Median (P50) | $48,700 | $47,698 | $-1,001 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $56,870 | $55,700 | $-1,169 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $61,140 | $59,882 | $-1,257 |
Virginia's cost of living is close to the national average, so $48,700 keeps most of its value at $47,698 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.
With an RPP of 102.1, Virginia is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Pipelayers is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.
After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living, $48,700 nominal nets out to $47,698 in real purchasing power — a small 2.1% loss. The state's cost profile is close enough to average that COL alone shouldn't drive location decisions for this Pipelayers.
Virginia ranks #38 of 44 — bottom quartile for Pipelayers real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Pipelayers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Virginia ranks #38 out of 44 states for Pipelayers after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Pipelayers take-home pay in Virginia after taxes →
A Pipelayers in Virginia earns a median salary of $48,700 per year. After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (RPP=102.1), the real purchasing power is $47,698 — a -2.1% difference.
Virginia's cost of living is 2.1% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Virginia is 102.1 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Pipelayers in Virginia: $48,700 x (100 / 102.1) = $47,698. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Pipelayers's nominal salary of $48,700 in Virginia has 2.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $47,698. However, Virginia may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.