What is a Pipelayer?
Career Description Lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains. Perform any combination of the following tasks: grade trenches or culverts, position pipe, or seal joints.
Daily Life Of a Pipelayer
- Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers.
- Tap and drill holes into pipes to introduce auxiliary lines or devices.
- Operate mechanized equipment, such as pickup trucks, rollers, tandem dump trucks, front-end loaders, or backhoes.
- Align and position pipes to prepare them for welding or sealing.
- Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.
- Locate existing pipes needing repair or replacement, using magnetic or radio indicators.
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What Every Pipelayer Should Know
Pipelayers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Types of Pipelayer
- Pipe Setter
- Tile Conduit Layer
- Construction Laborer
- Pipe Crew Foreman
- Plumbing Technician
Job Opportunities for Pipelayers
In the United States, there were 44,100 jobs for Pipelayer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 17.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7,600 new jobs for Pipelayer by 2026. The BLS estimates 5,700 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Pipelayer are Nevada, Idaho, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Alaska, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Pipelayer Salary
The salary for Pipelayers ranges between about $26,870 and $68,930 a year.
Pipelayers who work in Alaska, Illinois, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Pipelayers in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $34,200 |
| Alaska | $73,810 |
| Arizona | $43,980 |
| Arkansas | $35,740 |
| California | $52,850 |
| Colorado | $45,420 |
| Connecticut | $55,930 |
| Delaware | $43,060 |
| District of Columbia | $45,030 |
| Florida | $40,060 |
| Georgia | $38,820 |
| Hawaii | $63,140 |
| Idaho | $42,350 |
| Illinois | $70,400 |
| Indiana | $51,390 |
| Iowa | $49,370 |
| Kansas | $38,530 |
| Kentucky | $35,450 |
| Louisiana | $33,050 |
| Maine | $39,250 |
| Maryland | $41,980 |
| Massachusetts | $70,020 |
| Michigan | $43,010 |
| Minnesota | $64,440 |
| Mississippi | $32,830 |
| Missouri | $50,000 |
| Montana | $48,930 |
| Nebraska | $38,360 |
| Nevada | $53,950 |
| New Hampshire | $47,280 |
| New Jersey | $64,850 |
| New Mexico | $38,920 |
| New York | $58,260 |
| North Carolina | $34,120 |
| North Dakota | $53,330 |
| Ohio | $50,770 |
| Oklahoma | $37,300 |
| Oregon | $55,660 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,740 |
| South Carolina | $37,220 |
| South Dakota | $36,690 |
| Tennessee | $36,160 |
| Texas | $34,280 |
| Utah | $39,190 |
| Vermont | $42,480 |
| Virginia | $36,080 |
| Washington | $62,950 |
| West Virginia | $46,620 |
| Wisconsin | $62,940 |
| Wyoming | $35,360 |
What Tools & Technology do Pipelayers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Pipelayers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
How do I Become a Pipelayer?
Learn what Pipelayer education requirements there are.
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Pipelayers?
Below are examples of industries where Pipelayers work:
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Pipelayer might also be interested in the following careers:
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators
- Slaughterers and Meat Packers
Career changers with experience as a Pipelayer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
- Helpers–Roofers
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Construction Laborers
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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