🏗️
Civil Engineering & Heavy Construction
Kiewit, Granite Construction, AECOM
Pipelayers
Pipelayers install and connect underground pipe for water, sewer, drainage, and utility lines. They spend as much time checking grade with lasers and levels as they do cutting, sealing, and backfilling pipe, because a small slope error can cause big problems later. The job is accessible without formal schooling, but it is dirty, physically hard, and projected to shrink slightly over the next decade.
Also known as Pipe LayerUtility PipelayerUnderground PipelayerSewer PipelayerWater Main Pipelayer
Median Salary
$48,710
Mean $54,270
U.S. Workforce
~34K
2.4K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-4.1%
34.4K to 32.9K
Entry Education
No formal educational credential
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Pipelayers sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~34K workers, with a median annual pay of $48,710 and roughly 2.4K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 34.4 K in 2024 to 32.9K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with No formal educational credential, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Construction Helper and can progress toward Utility Construction Foreman. High-value skills usually include Operation and Control, Laser Levels, Grade Rods & Transit Tools, and Operations Monitoring, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Coordination, and Critical Thinking.
Core Responsibilities
- Line up pipe sections so they fit the trench and can be joined correctly.
- Use lasers, levels, or grade rods to make sure the pipe has the right slope.
- Cut pipe to length and connect the pieces with welding, cement, glue, or other sealing methods.
- Locate old underground pipes before repair or replacement work begins.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Line up pipe sections so they fit the trench and can be joined correctly.
02 Use lasers, levels, or grade rods to make sure the pipe has the right slope.
03 Cut pipe to length and connect the pieces with welding, cement, glue, or other sealing methods.
04 Locate old underground pipes before repair or replacement work begins.
05 Handle tools and equipment used to place, check, and finish pipe in the ground.
06 Cover installed pipe with soil, and sometimes help train or direct newer crew members.
Industries That Hire
💧
Water & Wastewater Utilities
American Water, Veolia, Xylem
⚡
Electric, Gas & Pipeline Utilities
Duke Energy, Southern Company, PG&E
🛢️
Oil & Gas Pipeline Transportation
Enbridge, Kinder Morgan, Williams
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Highway, Street & Bridge Construction
Skanska, MasTec, Fluor
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can enter the field without a college degree; 65.4% of workers start with no formal credential and learn through short-term training.
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The pay is solid for an accessible trade, with a mean annual wage of $54,270 and a median of $48,710.
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There are still about 2.4K annual openings, so people who can handle the work often find steady hiring even as the occupation shrinks overall.
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The work is concrete and visible: by the end of a shift, you can usually see the trench, pipe, and backfill you completed.
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The skills can lead to higher-paying crew leadership jobs in utility construction, excavation, and public works.
Challenges
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Employment is projected to fall 4.1% over the next decade, from 34.4K jobs to 32.9K, so long-term growth is weak.
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The work is physically punishing, with heavy lifting, crouching in trenches, wet ground, and exposure to heat, cold, and mud.
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Pay can flatten out unless you move into lead, foreman, or equipment roles, which creates a real ceiling for people who want to stay hands-on.
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The job depends heavily on construction budgets, utility upgrades, and weather, so work can slow down when projects are delayed or seasonal demand drops.
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The job leaves little room for mistakes: a bad slope, poor seal, or missed underground line can create costly leaks, repairs, or safety problems later.
Career Progression
Construction Helper
0-1 years
$32K-$39K
Helps dig trenches, move materials, and learns basic safety and pipe-handling habits.
Pipelayer Apprentice
1-3 years
$40K-$46K
Works under supervision to set pipe, check slope, and learn how to join and seal sections correctly.
Pipelayer THIS ROLE
3-7 years
$47K-$58K
Handles alignment, grade checks, pipe connections, and backfilling on active utility or construction sites.
Lead Pipelayer
7-12 years
$59K-$72K
Takes on the most complex installs, checks quality, and helps direct a small crew in the trench.
Utility Construction Foreman
12+ years
$73K-$92K
Plans the work, coordinates with inspectors and supervisors, and keeps pipe crews moving safely and on schedule.
Education Paths
No formal educational credential
The most common entry point, used by 65.4% of workers, is to start without a diploma and learn the trade on the job.
High school diploma
A high school diploma is the next most common route, held by 32.88% of workers, and it usually pairs well with short-term employer training.
Post-secondary certificate in construction or utilities
A post-secondary certificate is a less common option, held by 1.72% of workers, but it can help with basic construction math, safety, and equipment use.
Employer training or apprenticeship
Some workers enter through a short apprenticeship or company training program that teaches grade work, pipe handling, and jobsite safety.
Key Skills
Technical
Operation and Control 53%
Laser Levels, Grade Rods & Transit Tools 52%
Operations Monitoring 50%
Quality Control Analysis 50%
Utility Locators, Magnetic Finders & Radio Detection Tools 49%
Pipe Cutting, Welding & Joint Sealing Equipment 49%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningCoordinationCritical ThinkingSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingTeamwork Job Outlook and Trends
+-4.1%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
2.4K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 34.4K to 32.9 K over the next decade, representing -4.1% growth. Around 2.4 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.