Occupation · SOC 47-2151
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.
Median wage
$48,710
$36,840–$80,710
Projected growth
-4.4%
Declining
Annual openings
-140
per year
Employed (US)
33,580
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
5 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlSpeakingCritical ThinkingCoordinationOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisActive Listening
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionPublic Safety and Security
Technology & tools
Spreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Grade or level trench bases, using tamping machines or hand tools.Dig trenches to desired or required depths, by hand or using trenching tools.Cut pipes to required lengths.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hand tools and shovels — dig trenches to specified depths under direct supervision on a residential or municipal construction site.Tamping machines and hand-leveling tools — grade and level trench bases following foreman instructions on active job sites.Pipe sections and hand saws — cut pipes to required lengths using marked measurements under close crew oversight.Grade rods and basic leveling devices — assist in setting up instruments to check trench slope under direct supervision.Backfill materials and hand tools — cover installed pipe sections with earth or gravel following prescribed layering steps.Cement and pipe glue — apply sealant to pipe joints following step-by-step instructions on small-diameter sewer installations.Safety barriers and personal protective equipment — follow public safety protocols when working in or near open trenches on active streets.Spirit levels and measuring tapes — perform basic slope checks on short trench runs and report readings to a senior pipelayer.Sanitary sewer pipe sections — assist in placing and aligning pipe in prepared trenches under guided instruction on utility projects.Verbal instructions and crew signals — listen actively and respond accurately to directions during coordinated pipe-laying operations on job sites.
developing
Trenching tools and mechanical excavators — independently dig trenches to specified depths and grades on mid-scale municipal sewer projects.Tamping and compaction equipment — level and compact trench bases to meet project grade specifications with minimal supervisor oversight.Pipe cutters and power saws — cut pipe sections to precise required lengths and confirm measurements before installation on utility corridors.Laser levels and transit instruments — set up and operate grade lasers to verify trench slope conformance during routine sewer installations.Earth, gravel, and bedding materials — cover installed pipe systems in correct sequence and compaction layers per project specifications.Welding equipment and solvent cement — connect and seal pipe joints using appropriate methods for differing pipe materials on sanitary systems.Sanitary and stormwater sewer structures — install or repair manholes, catch basins, and pipe runs on standard municipal utility projects.Digital levels and laser grade checkers — check and document slope readings against project drawings and flag non-conformances to the supervisor.Coordination with utility crew members — schedule and sequence pipe-laying tasks with co-workers to maintain workflow on multi-trade job sites.Quality inspection checklists — review installed pipe sections for alignment, joint integrity, and cover depth before backfill is completed.
proficient
Complex trench layouts and site conditions — plan and execute excavation sequences to required depths and grades across varied soil types on large utility projects.Tamping machines and vibratory compactors — select and operate compaction equipment to meet engineered trench-base specifications without oversight.Multiple pipe materials and sizes — cut, fit, and adapt pipe sections to non-standard lengths and angles when field conditions deviate from drawings.Laser, transit level, and grade rod systems — independently calibrate and operate a full suite of grade instruments to ensure slope conformance on complex sewer alignments.Backfill operations in confined or high-traffic environments — manage pipe covering procedures safely and to specification on urban or high-risk sites.Welding, cement, and mechanical coupling methods — select and apply the appropriate joint-sealing technique for each pipe material and pressure class on sanitary and stormwater systems.Sanitary and stormwater system troubleshooting — diagnose misalignment, grade failures, or joint defects during installation and implement field corrections on active projects.Slope conformance verification — conduct systematic grade and alignment checks throughout pipeline runs and produce accurate field documentation for project records.Active mentoring of emerging crew members — demonstrate correct trenching, grading, and pipe-joining techniques to junior workers during daily operations on construction sites.Crew communication and coordination — relay technical specifications, safety hazards, and schedule changes clearly to crew members and subcontractors on multi-phase pipeline projects.
advanced
Project-wide pipe-laying plans and work sequences — develop and direct installation strategies for large-scale municipal sewer or stormwater projects involving multiple crews.Trench safety and shoring programs — establish site-specific excavation safety procedures that ensure regulatory compliance and protect workers across all active trench operations.Grade and alignment quality systems — implement and oversee quality control processes for slope verification, pipe placement, and joint integrity across an entire project portfolio.Crew performance and training programs — design on-the-job training plans that advance workers from emerging to proficient levels in trenching, grading, and pipe-joining skills.Equipment selection and procurement — evaluate and recommend trenching, compaction, and laser-grade equipment for organizational acquisition based on project scope and performance data.Cross-functional project coordination — collaborate with engineers, inspectors, and municipal clients to align pipeline installation scope, schedule, and technical requirements.Organizational safety culture — champion public safety and worksite hazard-awareness practices that reduce incidents across construction and extraction operations company-wide.Documentation and reporting standards — establish field reporting protocols using office suite and word processing tools to ensure accurate project records meet client and regulatory requirements.Sanitary and stormwater system standards oversight — interpret updated codes and engineering specifications and integrate changes into crew procedures and quality benchmarks.Strategic workforce and resource planning — forecast labor, materials, and equipment needs for pipeline project pipelines and allocate resources to meet organizational delivery commitments.
Also known as
32 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Pipe ConnectorDrain TilerUtility Pipe LayerPipe Wrapping Machine OperatorSewer Pipe LayerTrench Pipe LayerConstruction Worker IPipe Assembly WorkerUtility LayerPipe LinerPipe InstallerPipe SetterPipe CaulkerWater Main Pipe LayerDrain LayerPipe FitterUnderground Pipe LayerPipelaying FitterTailmanSewer ConnectorCast Iron Drain Pipe LayerStormwater Technician (Stormwater Tech)Pipe LayerTile Conduit LayerUtilities LayerIrrigation System InstallerSewer LayerPipemanPipelayerPipe CutterUnderground Utility LocatorPiper