Pipelayers
On the Job
Pipelayers lay pipe for sewers, drains, and water mains. They may level out trenches, position the pipe, or seal pipe joints.
Physical Demands 
This career requires time standing, walking, or running.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Cut metal components for installation.
- Drill holes in construction materials.
- Install plumbing or piping.
- Mark reference points on construction materials.
- Weld metal components.
- Drive trucks or truck-mounted equipment.
- Evaluate projects to determine compliance with technical specifications.
- Locate equipment or materials in need of repair or replacement.
- Operate equipment or vehicles to clear construction sites or move materials.
- Apply adhesives to construction materials.
Typical Working Conditions
- Working outdoors exposed to weather.
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
- Having face-to-face discussions.
- Exposure to hazardous equipment.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Working with a group or team.
- Exposure to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
- Responsibility for others' health and safety.
- Meeting strict deadlines.
- Frequent decision-making.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.
