Pile driver operators salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,790 | $23.46 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $73,300 | $35.24 |
| Mean (average) | $80,710 | $38.81 |
| 90th percentile | $124,600 | $59.91 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Pile driver operators pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 11 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $78,080 | $54,070 | $118,970 | 190 | 40.07 |
| California | $110,340 | $71,630 | $135,780 | 480 | 1.76 |
| Florida | $51,830 | $46,060 | $81,590 | 270 | 1.86 |
| Georgia | $47,930 | $39,850 | $60,360 | 50 | 0.72 |
| Louisiana | $61,150 | $54,450 | $88,340 | 180 | 6.29 |
| Massachusetts | $120,980 | $87,100 | $124,700 | 130 | 2.38 |
| Pennsylvania | $93,550 | $80,380 | $102,030 | 90 | 0.99 |
| Tennessee | $54,830 | $44,070 | $67,860 | 30 | 0.7 |
| Texas | $66,140 | $45,220 | $70,930 | 280 | 1.34 |
| Virginia | $59,910 | $50,770 | $75,920 | 150 | 2.48 |
| Washington | $111,080 | $99,180 | $140,630 | 50 | 1 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for pile driver operators
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 200. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 2.7%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for pile driver operators
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Email software
- GRL Engineers Wave Equation Analysis Program GRLWEAP
- Global positioning system GPS software
- Pile Dynamics Case Pile Wave Analysis Program CAPWAP
- Pile Dynamics Pile Driving Analyzer PDA
Transferable skills for career changers: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Coordination, Quality Control Analysis.
Common job titles: Pile Driver, Pile Driver Operator, Pile Driving Operator.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do pile driver operators make?
The national median annual wage for pile driver operators was $73,300 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $48,790 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $124,600. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do pile driver operators need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is pile driver operators a growing career?
BLS projects employment of pile driver operators to change -5.7% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 200 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay pile driver operators the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Massachusetts ($120,980), Washington ($111,080), California ($110,340). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.