Pile Driver Operators

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Construction & Extraction
• O*NET-SOC code: 47-2072
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 5
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Allen wrenches, Chain slings, Diesel hammers, Digital ammeters, Digital torque wrenches, Email software, Emergency first aid equipment, Excavator mounted pile drivers, Extension ladders, Filter wrenches, Fixed leads

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
• Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
• Hoist and Winch Operators
• Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
• Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
• Riggers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Pile Driver Operators — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.