# Pipelayers

> 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.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 47-2151.00
- **Summary:** 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.

## Aliases

- Pipelayer
- Tailman
- Cast Iron Drain Pipe Layer
- Drain Layer
- Drain Tiler
- Pipe Assembly Worker
- Pipe Caulker
- Pipe Connector
- Pipe Cutter
- Pipe Fitter
- Pipe Installer
- Pipe Layer

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Grade or level trench bases, using tamping machines or hand tools. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Dig trenches to desired or required depths, by hand or using trenching tools. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Cut pipes to required lengths. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.l |
| Install or use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, or transit levels. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.v |
| Cover pipes with earth or other materials. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Install or repair sanitary or stormwater sewer structures or pipe systems. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.aq |
| Align and position pipes to prepare them for welding or sealing. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.aq |
| Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints and coordinating layouts with supervisors. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.ao |
| Tap and drill holes into pipes to introduce auxiliary lines or devices. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.ad |
| Operate mechanized equipment, such as pickup trucks, rollers, tandem dump trucks, front-end loaders, or backhoes. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.c |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Evaluate projects to determine compliance with technical specifications. | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Spread sand, dirt or other loose materials onto surfaces. | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Apply adhesives to construction materials. | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Weld metal components. | 4.A.3.a.2.ai |
| Cut metal components for installation. | 4.A.3.a.2.l |
| Install plumbing or piping. | 4.A.3.a.2.aq |
| Maintain plumbing structures or fixtures. | 4.A.3.b.4.a |
| Position hand tools. | 4.A.3.a.2.v |
| Compact materials to create level bases. | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Mark reference points on construction materials. | 4.A.3.a.2.ao |
| Communicate with other construction or extraction personnel to discuss project details. | 4.A.4.a.2.c |
| Dig holes or trenches. | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Operate equipment or vehicles to clear construction sites or move materials. | 4.A.3.a.3.c |
| Drive trucks or truck-mounted equipment. | 4.A.3.a.4.a |
| Train construction or extraction personnel. | 4.A.4.b.3.d |
| Direct construction or extraction personnel. | 4.A.4.b.4.i |
| Drill holes in construction materials. | 4.A.3.a.2.ad |
| Locate equipment or materials in need of repair or replacement. | 4.A.1.b.2.g |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Building and Construction | knowledge | 3.7 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.5 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.5 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.25 |
| Static Strength | ability | 3.25 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 3.01 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3 |
| Visualization | ability | 3 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3 |
| Rate Control | ability | 3 |
| Reaction Time | ability | 3 |
| Trunk Strength | ability | 3 |
| Stamina | ability | 3 |
| Extent Flexibility | ability | 3 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3 |
| Depth Perception | ability | 3 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3 |
| Engineering and Technology | knowledge | 2.98 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 2.98 |
| Administration and Management | knowledge | 2.92 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 2.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 2.88 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 2.88 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 2.88 |
| Far Vision | ability | 2.88 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.94 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 4.9 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.59 |
| Contact With Others | 4.51 |
| Spend Time Standing | 4.37 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 4.37 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 4.36 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 4.19 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 4.17 |
| Physical Proximity | 4.11 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 4.06 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 4.03 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.03 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 3.77 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 3.72 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.69 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.67 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.67 |
| Time Pressure | 3.65 |
| Telephone Conversations | 3.48 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 3.42 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 3.33 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 3.31 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 3.29 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.27 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.18 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 3.15 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 3.04 |
| In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment | 3.02 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 2.89 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.88 |
| Exposed to Whole Body Vibration | 2.68 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 2.62 |
| Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | 2.6 |
| Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles | 2.57 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 2.49 |
| Level of Competition | 2.34 |
| E-Mail | 2.27 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 2.27 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 2.26 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very 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.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 65.4 |
| High School Diploma | 32.88 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 1.72 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 7 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 6.63 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 4.39 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 3.54 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 2.43 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 2.3 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 2.29 |
| Dependability | work_style | 2.27 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 1.86 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 1.84 |
| Nature/Outdoors | specific_interest_area | 1.68 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 1.5 |
| Perseverance | work_style | 1.43 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 1.3 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 1.28 |
| Management/Administration | specific_interest_area | 1.26 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 47-2152.00 | role-47-2152-00 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Primary-Short |
| 47-3015.00 | role-47-3015-00 | Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Primary-Short |
| 47-2061.00 | role-47-2061-00 | Construction Laborers | Primary-Short |
| 47-4071.00 | role-47-4071-00 | Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | Primary-Short |
| 47-2131.00 | role-47-2131-00 | Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | Primary-Short |
| 47-2132.00 | role-47-2132-00 | Insulation Workers, Mechanical | Primary-Long |
| 47-2211.00 | role-47-2211-00 | Sheet Metal Workers | Primary-Long |
| 47-2071.00 | role-47-2071-00 | Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | Primary-Long |
| 47-2221.00 | role-47-2221-00 | Structural Iron and Steel Workers | Primary-Long |
| 47-2011.00 | role-47-2011-00 | Boilermakers | Primary-Long |
| 49-9051.00 | role-49-9051-00 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | Supplemental |
| 47-2051.00 | role-47-2051-00 | Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Construction | construction |

## Education Level

- **Category:** No formal educational credential

## Study Programs


## Market

- **Median Wage:** 48710
- **Mean Wage:** 54270
- **Pct10Wage:** 36840
- **Pct25Wage:** 42320
- **Pct75Wage:** 60980
- **Pct90Wage:** 80710
- **Employment:** 33580
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 26610 | 48620 | 15.04 |
| 238220 | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | National industry | 2720 | 52360 | 9.86 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 580 | 51710 | 4.6 |
| 237130 | 237130 | Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | National industry | 280 | 49640 | 5.49 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 150 | 61030 | 0.11 |
| 238290 | 238290 | Other Building Equipment Contractors | National industry | 130 | 65340 | 3.89 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 130 | 41870 | 0.07 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 120 | 41490 | 0.21 |
| 238210 | 238210 | Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | National industry | 110 | 61590 | 0.47 |
| 238110 | 238110 | Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors | National industry | 70 | 69440 |  |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 60 | 62890 |  |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 50 | 79240 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 26610 | 15.04 |
| 238220 | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | National industry | 2720 | 9.86 |
| 237130 | 237130 | Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | National industry | 280 | 5.49 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 580 | 4.6 |
| 238290 | 238290 | Other Building Equipment Contractors | National industry | 130 | 3.89 |
| 238210 | 238210 | Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | National industry | 110 | 0.47 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 120 | 0.21 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 150 | 0.11 |
- **Count:** 16

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.62 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -1.225611 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -1.04947 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -1.18099 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 9
- **Percentile:** 5
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 10 | felten_aioe |
| 10 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 8 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -1.225611 | 10 | Low | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.07142857142857142 | 10 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.04172395339223521 | 8 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.62
- **Percentile:** 53
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0
- **Beta:** 0.03571428571428571
- **Gamma:** 0.07142857142857142

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** -4.1
- **Growth Percentile:** 14
- **Direction:** Declining
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 2.4
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 31
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 34.4
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 32.9

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 14
- **Skills:** 32
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 2
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** dd4e9fc50c49bcf1