Pipelayers

realistic interests construction material connect pipes drill hole sewer pipe seal joint building

Pipelayer, Tailman, Waste Water Worker

What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • Install or use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, or transit levels.
  • Cut pipes to required lengths.
  • Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology

  • building and construction
  • mechanical

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Business

  • customer service

Skills

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • hold or move items with your hands

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Initiative
  • Cooperation
  • Persistence
  • Integrity

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology

Office suite software

  • Microsoft Office software Hot Technology

Word processing software

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
no high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Licenses
Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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