Construction and extraction
Pipelayer
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 pay
$49,000
Growth to 2035
−3%
declining
Openings a year
2,100
Time to qualify*
1 month
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Pipelayer
$49,00010% earn under $37,730 · middle half $43,980–$61,400 · top 10% over $80,170
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Pipelayer
Dealing with the public
Rarely
Constantly
Unpleasant or angry people
Rarely
Constantly
Time pressure
Rarely
Constantly
Cost of a mistake
Minor
Severe
Freedom to make decisions
Little
A lot
Repeating the same tasks
Rarely
Constantly
Time sitting
Rarely
Constantly
Time standing
Rarely
Constantly
Outdoors in all weather
Rarely
Constantly
Hazardous conditions
Rarely
Constantly
Exposure to disease
Rarely
Constantly
Pipelayer: 17% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core 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.
- Install or use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, or transit levels.
- Cover pipes with earth or other materials.
- Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.
- Install or repair sanitary or stormwater sewer structures or pipe systems.
- Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers.
Also called: Pipelayer · Tailman
Outlook and AI
Pipelayers held 33,200 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 32,200 by 2035 (−3%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).
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