Skilled Trades & Construction career

Pile Driver Operator

Also called: Pile Driver · Pile Buck · Foundation Rig Operator · Pile Driving Crane Operator

What pile driver operators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a pile driver operator do?

Pile driver operators operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads and foundations. The median pay is $73,300 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Months to years of training, and employment is projected to grow -5.7% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $73,300
    $35.24/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    -5.7%
    2025–35, a projected decline
  • Openings per year
    200
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    Months to years of training
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    2,300
    Employment, 2025

What pile driver operators do

Pile driver operators build foundations. They run cranes and pile hammers to drive piles deep into the ground or water for bridges, docks, towers and buildings, follow driving logs and work with crews.

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. It is a small trade; BLS projects decline.

Typical duties

  • Operate pile drivers
  • Position piles
  • Drive to depth
  • Record driving logs
  • Rig piles
  • Inspect equipment
  • Work with crews

Work environment and schedule

Operators work on construction sites, docks and barges.

Schedule: Full time, sometimes travel.

A day in the life

  1. Inspect the rig.
  2. Crew briefing.
  3. Pick and set a pile.
  4. Drive to refusal.

See a full day in the life of a pile driver operator →

Pile Driver Operator salary

Half of pile driver operators earned more than $73,300 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $48,790 for the lowest 10% to $124,600 for the top 10%.

Full pile driver operator pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a pile driver operator

  1. Finish high school
  2. Join a foundation crew
  3. Join an apprenticeship
  4. Earn crane certification
  5. Advance

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a pile driver operator →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Crane operation
  • Pile hammers
  • Rigging
  • Driving logs
  • Plan reading

People skills

  • Focus
  • Teamwork
  • Safety awareness
  • Precision

All pile driver operator skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Strong pay
  • Union jobs
  • Big projects
  • Skilled operation

Cons

  • Noise and vibration
  • Weather
  • Water work hazards
  • Small trade

Certifications and licenses

  • NCCCO crane certification: Required for crane operation.
  • Pile driver apprenticeship: Union.
  • Rigging certification: Helpful.
  • OSHA 10: Safety.

Career path

  1. Laborer: Entry.
  2. Apprentice: Training.
  3. Operator: Operate.
  4. Foreman: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Pile Driver Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as drive a pile to refusal and keep an accurate driving log, safety and how to land your first job.

View Pile Driver Operator trainingIs this career right for me?

Crane Operator

Lift steel, equipment and materials with cranes on job sites, ports and plants.

  • $68,080
  • 3–12 months plus experience

Heavy Equipment Operator

Operate excavators, dozers, loaders and graders to move earth and build infrastructure.

  • $59,850
  • Months to 4 years

Ironworker

Raise the steel frames of buildings, bridges and towers, high above the ground.

  • $62,780
  • 3–4 years (apprenticeship)

Rigger

Plan and rig heavy lifts for cranes, machinery moves and construction.

  • $62,640
  • Months of training

Compare: Pile Driver Operator vs. Crane Operator · Pile Driver Operator vs. Heavy Equipment Operator · Pile Driver Operator vs. Ironworker · Pile Driver Operator vs. Rigger

Pile Driver Operator FAQ

Do I need crane certification?

Usually yes.

Is the trade growing?

BLS projects decline.

Are jobs union?

Many are.

How much does a pile driver operator make?

The median annual wage for pile driver operators was $73,300 ($35.24 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $48,790 and the highest 10% earned more than $124,600.

How long does it take to become a pile driver operator?

Most people need about Months to years of training of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a pile driver operator?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

More pile driver operator questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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