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Pile Driver Operators in Virginia
Want to work as a Pile Driver Operators in Virginia? Below are the key facts. Operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads, or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads, and foundations of structures such as buildings, bridges, and piers.
What do Pile Driver Operators Make in Virginia?
The pile driver operators working in Virginia, the typical annual salary is $49,960 per year (or about $24.02/hour).Earnings range from $49,490 at the 10th percentile to $64,530 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,490 | $23.79 |
| 25th percentile | $49,540 | $23.82 |
| Median (50th) | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| 75th percentile | $62,430 | $30.01 |
| 90th percentile | $64,530 | $31.02 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Virginia nationwide is 1.60, indicating that pile driver operators are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, pile driver operators earn a median of $31,596 per year ($15.19/hour), higher than the Virginia median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 683,984 pile driver operators nationwide. In Virginia alone, about 130 people work in this role. That’s in line with the typical state median of 130.
Top States for Pile Driver Operators Employment
The table below shows the states where the most pile driver operators work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 790 |
| Florida | 560 |
| Texas | 270 |
| Massachusetts | 220 |
| Louisiana | 180 |
| Virginia | 130 |
| Alaska | 110 |
| Georgia | 70 |
| Indiana | 60 |
| New Jersey | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | 30 |
Highest-Paying States for Pile Driver Operators
The highest-paying states for pile driver operators.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $125,050 |
| Massachusetts | $113,360 |
| California | $105,950 |
| Washington | $101,260 |
| Pennsylvania | $91,160 |
| Alaska | $87,630 |
| Maryland | $77,990 |
| Texas | $66,070 |
| Louisiana | $58,980 |
| South Carolina | $55,960 |
Skills
Key pile driver operators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for pile driver operators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Pile Driver Operators typically:
- Move hand and foot levers of hoisting equipment to position piling leads, hoist piling into leads, and position hammers over pilings.
- Move levers and turn valves to activate power hammers, or to raise and lower drophammers that drive piles to required depths.
- Drive pilings to provide support for buildings or other structures, using heavy equipment with a pile driver head.
- Conduct pre-operational checks on equipment to ensure proper functioning.
- Clean, lubricate, and refill equipment.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Getting Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Processing Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
Related Careers
Careers similar to pile driver operators include:
- Construction Laborers
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers
- Highway Maintenance Workers
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
Also Known As
Diesel Pile Hammer Operator, Driving Inspector, Driving Operator, Hoisting Pile Driving Engineer, Hydraulic Pile Hammer Operator, Hydraulic Press-In Operator, Nozzle Operator, Pile Driver, Pile Driver Engineer, Pile Driver Operator, Pile Driving Inspector, Pile Driving Leadsman, Pile Driving Nozzleman, Pile Driving Operator, Pile Driving Technician.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 47-2072.00