Pipelayers
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.
- Overview
- Tasks
- Skills
Median Annual Wage: $37,000
Education: High school diploma or equivalent (71%); Less than high school diploma (24%); Professional degree (4%)
Projected Growth: Faster than average (15% to 21%)
Related Job Titles: Construction Laborer; Heavy Equipment Operator; Equipment Operator; Machine Operator; Pipelayer; Skilled Laborer; Pipe Crew Foreman; Pipe Foreman; Tailman; Waste Water Worker
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Pipelayers.
- Cut pipes to required lengths.
- Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.
- Cover pipes with earth or other materials.
- Install or repair sanitary or stormwater sewer structures or pipe systems.
- Align and position pipes to prepare them for welding or sealing.
- Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers.
- Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints and coordinating layouts with supervisors.
- Operate mechanized equipment, such as pickup trucks, rollers, tandem dump trucks, front-end loaders, or backhoes.
- Grade or level trench bases, using tamping machines or hand tools.
- Dig trenches to desired or required depths, by hand or using trenching tools.
- Tap and drill holes into pipes to introduce auxiliary lines or devices.
- Locate existing pipes needing repair or replacement, using magnetic or radio indicators.
- Train or supervise others in laying pipe.
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Pipelayers.
- Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- 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.
- 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.
- Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Pipelayers.
