Pile Driver Operators
Construction and Extraction
Runs pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawlers, or locomotive cranes, using hand and foot levers to hoist pilings into the leads and set the hammer over them. Levers and valves control power hammers or drophammers that drive each pile to the required depth for buildings, bridges, and piers. The day also includes pre-operational checks plus cleaning, lubricating, and refilling the equipment. Work is on construction sites and sometimes from barges, and it suits people who like close control of heavy machines, routine upkeep, and coordinating with a crew.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$73'300
Median Wage Market Position
$73'300
What you might do
- Position pile leads and hoist piles into place
- Work the levers that drop the pile hammer
- Drive piles for foundations, walls, and piers
- Check the pile driver before each job
- Clean, oil, and refill the machine
- Run the rig from a barge or crawler
Skills that matter
- Hand and foot control of the leads
- Piles driven for walls and foundations
- Machine checks before driving starts
- Watching hammer action and pile movement
- Lubrication and refills between jobs
- Listening to the crew during lifts
AI & the future of this role
Driving piles for bridges, piers, and foundations requires heavy equipment skill in tight, high-stakes outdoor settings. Automation may assist with positioning aids, but liability-sensitive placement and variable ground conditions keep experienced operators central.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details