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Career Exploration

Pipelayers

Also called: Pipelayer, Tailman, Waste Water Worker

What they do:

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.

On the job, you would:
  • Install or use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, or transit levels.
  • Cut pipes to required lengths.
  • Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.
On the job, you'll need:

Engineering and Technology

  • building and construction
  • mechanical

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Business

  • customer service

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • hold or move items with your hands

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Initiative
  • Cooperation
  • Persistence
  • Integrity

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Office suite software

  • Microsoft Office software

Word processing software

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $45,990

Education

High school diploma/GED or no high school diploma/GED is usually needed.