National
| Median wages (2008) |
$15.72 hourly, $32,710 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
67,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
20,000 additional employees |
47-2151.00 - 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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Pipe Layer, Pipelayer, Laborer, Equipment Operator, Construction Laborer, Machine Operator, Skilled Laborer
Tasks
- Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers.
- Cover pipes with earth or other materials.
- Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.
- Cut pipes to required lengths.
- Install and repair sanitary and stormwater sewer structures and pipe systems.
- Install and use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, and transit levels.
- Grade and level trench bases, using tamping machines and hand tools.
- Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints, and coordinating layouts with supervisors.
- Align and position pipes to prepare them for welding or sealing.
- Dig trenches to desired or required depths, by hand or using trenching tools.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Boring or sinking machinery — Boring machines; Horizontal boring machines |
| Power grinders — Bevel grinding machines; Motor-driven grinders; Portable grinders; Stationary grinders |
| Power saws — Concrete saws; Reciprocating pipe saws |
| Tampers — Hand tampers; Powered tampers |
| Track loaders — Tractors with loader attachments |
| Trenching machines — Cable plows; Trenchers |
| Tungsten inert gas TIG welding machinery — Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment |
| Welders — Arc welders; Welding machines |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Spreadsheet software |
| Word processing software |
