# Pipelayers

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/pipelayers
- SOC code: 47-2151.00
- Career family: Construction and extraction
- Median annual pay: $49,000 (10th percentile $37,730, 90th percentile $80,170)
- Projected growth: Decline, -3.1%
- Openings a year: 2,100
- Typical entry education: No formal credential
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 24 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 5 |
| Enterprising (E) | 2 |
| Conventional (C) | 42 |

## What you'd do

- Getting Information (importance 76/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 71/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 68/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 68/100)
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (importance 65/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 64/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 64/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 63/100)
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (importance 62/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 59/100)

## Skills

Operation and Control, Active Listening, Coordination, Critical Thinking, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Time Management

## Knowledge

Building and Construction, Public Safety and Security, Engineering and Technology, Mechanical, Administration and Management, English Language, Production and Processing, Design, Education and Training, Mathematics

## Also called

Cast Iron Drain Pipe Layer, Drain Layer, Drain Tiler, Pipe Assembly Worker, Pipe Caulker, Pipe Connector, Pipe Cutter, Pipe Fitter, Pipe Installer, Pipe Layer

## Related careers

- [Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters): $63,800 median pay
- [Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-pipelayers-plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters): $42,360 median pay
- [Construction Laborers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/construction-laborers): $47,120 median pay
- [Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/septic-tank-servicers-and-sewer-pipe-cleaners): $49,880 median pay
- [Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/insulation-workers-floor-ceiling-and-wall): $49,120 median pay
- [Insulation Workers, Mechanical](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/insulation-workers-mechanical): $58,340 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.