Pipelayers Onet SOC Code 47-2151.00 Career Description: 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. Related Clusters: Programs of Study Pipelayers

Career Summary:

• Experience- Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.
• Education- These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.
• Job Training- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.
• Examples- These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.

• Grade and level trench bases, using tamping machines and hand tools.
• Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints, and coordinating layouts with supervisors.
• Align and position pipes to prepare them for welding or sealing.
• Dig trenches to desired or required depths, by hand or using trenching tools.
• Operate mechanized equipment such as pickup trucks, rollers, tandem dump trucks, front-end loaders, and backhoes.
• Train others in pipe-laying, and provide supervision.
• Tap and drill holes into pipes to introduce auxiliary lines or devices.
• Locate existing pipes needing repair or replacement, using magnetic or radio indicators.
• Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers.
• Cover pipes with earth or other materials.
• Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.
• Cut pipes to required lengths.
• Install and repair sanitary and stormwater sewer structures and pipe systems.
• Install and use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, and transit levels.

• The most significant source of training for this occupation occurs on the job. The training period varies from one to twelve months depending upon the complexity of the duties. Most employers seek high school graduates for this occupation. For related information and recommended courses to prepare for this occupation, Tennessee high school students may visit the Trade and Industrial Education Standards, Competency Profiles, and Resource Links online.

• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

• Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Second Interest High-Point - Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

• Moral Values - Workers on this job are never pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.

Wage and salary data provided by:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Department of Labor website
• TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development website
• Bureau of Economic Analysis website