CFChooseField
Construction and Trades

Pile Driver Operators

Operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads, or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads, and foundations of structures such as buildings, bridges, and piers.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Pile Driver Operators
Download graphic

Median pay

$70,510
Median annual pay for Pile Driver Operators.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

10-year growth

4.3%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Annual openings

300
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Employment

3,200
Estimated U.S. employment for Pile Driver Operators in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

Jobs added or lost

+100
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
View source ↗
O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Monitoring
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Writing

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Building and Construction
  2. 2Mechanical
  3. 3Mathematics
  4. 4Transportation
  5. 5Engineering and Technology
  6. 6Public Safety and Security

Abilities

  1. 1Control Precision
  2. 2Depth Perception
  3. 3Multilimb Coordination
  4. 4Reaction Time
  5. 5Manual Dexterity
  6. 6Problem Sensitivity

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Cautiousness
  3. 3Attention to Detail
  4. 4Stress Tolerance
  5. 5Perseverance
  6. 6Integrity

Work activities

  1. 1Controlling Machines and Processes
  2. 2Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  3. 3Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  4. 4Handling and Moving Objects
  5. 5Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
  6. 6Getting Information

Work context

  1. 1Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
  2. 2Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  3. 3Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  4. 4Health and Safety of Other Workers
  5. 5Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  6. 6Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Representative tasks

  • Move hand and foot levers of hoisting equipment to position piling leads, hoist piling into leads, and position hammers over pilings.
  • Move levers and turn valves to activate power hammers, or to raise and lower drophammers that drive piles to required depths.
  • Drive pilings to provide support for buildings or other structures, using heavy equipment with a pile driver head.
  • Conduct pre-operational checks on equipment to ensure proper functioning.
  • Clean, lubricate, and refill equipment.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · hot technologyEmail softwareGlobal positioning system GPS softwareGRL Engineers Wave Equation Analysis Program GRLWEAPPile Dynamics Case Pile Wave Analysis Program CAPWAPPile Dynamics Pile Driving Analyzer PDA

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.