Pipelayers

Also Called: Pipelayer

High School Diploma/GED

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$35,820

Entry Salary

Bright

Job outlook

What Pipelayers do

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.

  • Install or use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, or transit levels.
  • Cut pipes to required lengths.
  • Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.
Industry Areas:

Advanced Manufacturing • Automotive & Machine Repair • Construction • Renewable Resources and Energy

Training Program Areas:

Building Construction Technology • Facilities Maintenance • Landscaping • Landscaping (HBI) • OCT-Only Advanced Manufacturing • OCT-Only Construction • OCT-Only Renewable Resources & Energy • Petroleum Technician • Plumbing • Smart Meter & Instrumentation Technician • Solar Energy • Weatherization • Welding

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
  • Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Contact With Others

Tools

  • Power grinders
  • Water pumps
  • Boring or sinking machinery
  • Jacks
  • Squares

Technology

Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Word processing software

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Operation and Control
  • Active Listening
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Coordination
  • Critical Thinking

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
building and construction
mechanical
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Safety and Government
public safety and security
Business
customer service

Education

  • 71% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 24% Less than high school diploma
  • 4% Professional degree

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 some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Pipelayers Currently Selected

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Audiovisual Equipment Installers & Repairers

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades & Extraction Workers

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Government Property Inspectors & Investigators

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

 Job Training Match

Agricultural Technicians

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

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

Advanced Training

  • Albuquerque - Job Corps

    Albuquerque, New Mexico

  • Anaconda Civilian Conservation Center - Job Corps

    Anaconda, Montana

ACT & College

There are currently no college programs for this career.

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Initiative
  • Cooperation
  • Persistence
  • Integrity

Values

  • Support
  • Relationships
  • Independence

Abilities

  • Hand and Finger Use
  • Verbal
  • Controlled Movement

This is what Pipelayers across the country typically make.

$17.22 / hour
$35,820 /year

Entry Level

$22.76 / hour
$47,330 /year

Median Level

$38.05 / hour
$79,150 /year

Experienced Level

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

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Bright

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

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