Pile Driver Operators

Also Called: Pile Driver, Pile Driver Operator, Pile Driving Operator

What Pile Driver Operators do

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.

  • 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.
Industry Areas:

Transportation

Training Program Areas:

Heavy Equipment Operations • OCT-Only Transportation

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  • Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  • Responsible for Others' Health and Safety
  • Face-to-Face Discussions

Tools

  • Pile driver tools or its parts or accessories
  • Hoists
  • Slings
  • Pile drivers
  • Two way radios

Technology

Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Analytical or scientific software
GRL Engineers Wave Equation Analysis Program GRLWEAP
Pile Dynamics Pile Driving Analyzer PDA
Electronic mail software
Email software

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Operation and Control
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Monitoring
  • Troubleshooting

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
building and construction
mechanical
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Transportation
movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Safety and Government
public safety and security

Education

  • 53% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 21% Post-secondary certificate
  • 19% Less than high school diploma

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

  • Conventional (Organizer)
  • Investigative (Thinker)
  • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Concern for Others
  • Self Control
  • Cooperation
  • Stress Tolerance

Values

  • Support
  • Relationships
  • Working Conditions

Abilities

  • Controlled Movement
  • Hand and Finger Use
  • Spatial
  • Attention

This is what Pile Driver Operators across the country typically make.

$19.64 / hour
$40,840 /year

Entry Level

$30.55 / hour
$63,550 /year

Median Level

$52.42 / hour
$109,030 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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