Pipelayers
SOC Code: 47-2151 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Pipelayers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $56,909 | $72,238 | $87,547 | $102,877 |
| Binghamton, NY | $61,963 | $75,046 | $88,109 | $101,192 |
| Elmira, NY | $61,963 | $75,046 | $88,109 | $101,192 |
| Kingston, NY | $61,963 | $75,046 | $88,109 | $101,192 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $92,830 | $95,347 | $97,864 | $100,381 |
| Anchorage, AK | $92,830 | $95,347 | $97,864 | $100,381 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $92,830 | $95,347 | $97,864 | $100,381 |
| Vallejo, CA | $53,477 | $68,266 | $83,075 | $97,864 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $58,427 | $71,115 | $83,803 | $96,491 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $58,698 | $71,219 | $83,741 | $96,262 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 3.1 | |
| Active Listening | 3.0 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 | |
| Speaking | 3.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 | |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.9 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 | |
| Time Management | 2.9 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Building and Construction | 3.7 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.0 |
| Engineering and Technology | 3.0 |
| Mechanical | 3.0 |
| Administration and Management | 2.9 |
| English Language | 2.8 |
| Production and Processing | 2.8 |
| Design | 2.8 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school | 65.4% |
| High school diploma | 32.9% |
| Some college | 1.7% |
Typical Tasks
- Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers.
- Cover pipes with earth or other materials.
- Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.
- Cut pipes to required lengths.
- Install or repair sanitary or stormwater sewer structures or pipe systems.
- Install or use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, or transit levels.
- Grade or level trench bases, using tamping machines or hand tools.
- Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints and coordinating layouts with supervisors.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Spreadsheet software Word processing software
Calculate your wage level for Pipelayers →
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