What Does it Take to Be 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.
Life As a Pipelayer: What Do They Do?
- Cut pipes to required lengths.
- Install or repair sanitary or stormwater sewer structures or pipe systems.
- Align and position pipes to prepare them for welding or sealing.
- Tap and drill holes into pipes to introduce auxiliary lines or devices.
- Train or supervise others in laying pipe.
- Dig trenches to desired or required depths, by hand or using trenching tools.
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Pipelayer Needed Skills
When polled, Pipelayers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Other Pipelayer Job Titles
- Machine Operator
- Drain Tiler
- Pipe Assembly Worker
- Pipe Connector
- Trench Pipe Layer
Job Opportunities for Pipelayers
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 44,100 jobs in the United States for Pipelayer. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 5,700 job openings in this field each year.
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.
Salary for a Pipelayer
Pipelayers make between $26,870 and $68,930 a year.
Pipelayers who work in Alaska, Illinois, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
How much do Pipelayers make 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
Becoming a Pipelayer
Education needed to be a Pipelayer:
What work experience do I need to become a Pipelayer?
Pipelayers Sector
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Pipelayer may also be interested in:
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators
- Slaughterers and Meat Packers
Those who work as a Pipelayer sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
- Helpers–Roofers
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Construction Laborers
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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