Pipelayers

Also called: Construction Laborer, Equipment Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator, Pipelayer

In the military: see titles from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy.

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.

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

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

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

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

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software

Word processing software

high school diploma/GED or
no high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

New job opportunities are very likely in the future.

$38,560

$26,870

$68,930

You might like a career in one of these industries:

See more details at O*NET OnLine about pipelayers.