Pile Driver Operators

Career Overview

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.

Also Known As

• Pile Driver
• Pile Driver Operator
• Pile Driving Operator

Alternate Job Titles

• Diesel Pile Hammer Operator
• Driving Inspector
• Driving Operator
• Hoisting Pile Driving Engineer
• Hydraulic Pile Hammer Operator
• Hydraulic Press-In Operator
• Nozzle Operator
• Pile Driver
• Pile Driver Engineer
• Pile Driver Operator
• Pile Driving Inspector
• Pile Driving Leadsman
• Pile Driving Nozzleman
• Pile Driving Operator
• Pile Driving Technician

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• 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.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Building and Construction
• Mechanical
• Mathematics

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Operation and Control
2. Operations Monitoring

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Control Precision
• Depth Perception
• Multilimb Coordination
• Reaction Time
• Manual Dexterity
• Problem Sensitivity
• Rate Control
• Response Orientation
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Selective Attention

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Dependability
• Cautiousness
• Attention to Detail
• Stress Tolerance
• Perseverance

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Support
• Relationships
• Working Conditions
• Achievement
• Independence

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Microsoft Excel

Tools & Equipment

• Allen wrenches
• Chain slings
• Diesel hammers
• Digital ammeters
• Digital torque wrenches
• Emergency first aid equipment
• Excavator mounted pile drivers
• Extension ladders
• Filter wrenches
• Fixed leads
• Four-point harnesses
• Global positioning system GPS receivers
• Gravity drop hammers
• Ground release shackles
• Hand-operated pumps

Work Environment

• Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
• Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
• Health and Safety of Other Workers
• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$46,690
Median	$70,510
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$121,990

Workers Employed Nationally: 3,040

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.