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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.
Other titles employers use
Pile Driver · Pile Driver Operator · Pile Driving Operator · Diesel Pile Hammer Operator · Hydraulic Pile Hammer Operator · Hydraulic Press-In Operator · Vibratory Pile Driver
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
5 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Monitoring
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Active Listening
Subjects to know
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Transportation
- Engineering and Technology
Useful strengths
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Depth Perception
- Reaction Time
- Manual Dexterity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.9 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 3.3 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.5 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 71%
- A certificate or some college 29%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Spreadsheet software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Electronic mail software
- Mobile location based services software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 830
- Job openings each year
- 80
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 15.3%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 830 | 80 | 15.3% |
| Texas | 310 | 30 | 19.2% |
| Washington | 160 | 20 | 6.7% |
| Oregon | 150 | 10 | 15.4% |
| Indiana | 130 | 10 | — |
| Virginia | 110 | 10 | — |
| Louisiana | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Wyoming | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Maryland | 60 | 10 | — |
| Minnesota | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Wisconsin | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Alaska | 50 | 10 | — |
| New Jersey | 50 | 0 | — |
| Illinois | 30 | 0 | — |
| South Carolina | 30 | 0 | — |
| Idaho | 20 | 0 | — |
| Ohio | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.