Construction & Extraction
Pipelayers
Also called: Pipelayer, Tailman
US median pay
$49,000
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-3.1%
declining
Openings a year (US)
2,100
33,200 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Align and position pipes to prepare them for welding or sealing.
- Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints and coordinating layouts with supervisors.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operation and Control3.1/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.0/5
- Operations Monitoring3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Time Management2.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9/5
- Troubleshooting2.8/5
- Repairing2.8/5
Knowledge
- Building and Construction3.7/5
- Public Safety and Security3.0/5
- Mechanical3.0/5
- Engineering and Technology3.0/5
- Administration and Management2.9/5
- Production and Processing2.8/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Less than high school65%
- High school diploma33%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.