Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 3,900 people employed as pile driver operators in the United States. The median annual salary is $76,260. Entry level employees earn approximately $38,170 per year and senior employees earn approximately $113,360 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• 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.

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