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Also known as: Diesel Pile Hammer Operator, Driving Inspector, Driving Operator, Hoisting Pile Driving Engineer
You arrive at the bustling waterfront construction site before dawn, the air cool and damp. Donning your hard hat, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots, you head for the morning safety brief. The foreman outlines today’s plan: driving pilings for the new pier extension. You mentally review the schematics, visualizing the sequence. After the brief, you conduct a walk-around inspection of your crawler-mounted pile driver, checking the cables, hydraulics, and the powerful diesel hammer attached to its leads.
Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.
-5.7%
US average: +3.5%
200
per year (US)
2,300
in 2025 → 2,200 (2035)
High school diploma or equivalent
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.
Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)
The number of Pile Driver Operator jobs is expected to decline by 5.7% through 2035, with about 200 openings projected each year. The median annual wage is about $73,300, and experienced operators may move into supervisory roles.
Career ladder
Often before this role
Where it can lead
$73,300
Median annual wage, BLS 2025
Bachelor's Degree
Minimum educational requirement for this position
Based on job level & field
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