Pile Driver Operators
SOC code 47-2072 · O*NET-SOC 47-2072.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades
Pile Driver Operators pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$73,300
a year
Hourly
$35.24
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$80,710
$38.81 per hour
Middle 50%
$58,510 – $106,430
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$48,790 – $124,600
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
2,310
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $48,790
- $23.46/hr
- 25th percentile
- $58,510
- $28.13/hr
- Median percentile
- $73,300
- $35.24/hr
- 75th percentile
- $106,430
- $51.17/hr
- 90th percentile
- $124,600
- $59.91/hr
What does a pile driver operator do?
Operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads, or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads, and foundations of structures such as buildings, bridges, and piers.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to become a pile driver operator
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 53% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)53%
- Post-Secondary Certificate21%
- Less than a High School Diploma19%
- Some College Courses8%
Common questions
How much does a pile driver operator earn?
The national median is $73,300 a year. The full range runs from $48,790 at the 10th percentile to $124,600 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a pile driver operator without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Monitoring3.3/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Critical Thinking2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction4.1/5
- Mechanical3.6/5
- Mathematics3.6/5
- Transportation3.5/5
- Engineering and Technology3.4/5
- Public Safety and Security3.4/5
- Design3.1/5
- Production and Processing3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Coordination, Quality Control Analysis.