Pile Driver Operators in California
Want to work as a Pile Driver Operators in California? Here’s what you need to know. Operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads, or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads, and foundations of structures such as buildings, bridges, and piers.
What do Pile Driver Operators Make in California?
For pile driver operators working in California, wages run about $105,950 per year (or about $50.94/hour).Earnings range from $68,010 at the 10th percentile to $133,140 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $68,010 | $32.70 |
| 25th percentile | $88,520 | $42.56 |
| Median (50th) | $105,950 | $50.94 |
| 75th percentile | $123,380 | $59.32 |
| 90th percentile | $133,140 | $64.01 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California relative to the national average — is 2.22, meaning that pile driver operators are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, pile driver operators earn a median of $31,596 per year ($15.19/hour), exceeding the California median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 683,984 pile driver operators across the United States. In California alone, about 790 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 130 pile driver operators.
Top California Metros for Pile Driver Operators
The largest metro-area employers of pile driver operators in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 260 | $103,790 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 130 | $133,080 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 80 | $114,470 |
Top States for Pile Driver Operators Employment
The table below shows the states where the most pile driver operators work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 790 |
| Florida | 560 |
| Texas | 270 |
| Massachusetts | 220 |
| Louisiana | 180 |
| Virginia | 130 |
| Alaska | 110 |
| Georgia | 70 |
| Indiana | 60 |
| New Jersey | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | 30 |
Highest-Paying States for Pile Driver Operators
The highest-paying states for pile driver operators.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $125,050 |
| Massachusetts | $113,360 |
| California | $105,950 |
| Washington | $101,260 |
| Pennsylvania | $91,160 |
| Alaska | $87,630 |
| Maryland | $77,990 |
| Texas | $66,070 |
| Louisiana | $58,980 |
| South Carolina | $55,960 |
Skills
Top pile driver operators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for pile driver operators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, pile driver operators typically:
- 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.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Getting Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Processing Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Ground Transportation
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Related Careers
Other careers like pile driver operators include:
- Construction Laborers
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers
- Highway Maintenance Workers
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
Also Known As
Diesel Pile Hammer Operator, Driving Inspector, Driving Operator, Hoisting Pile Driving Engineer, Hydraulic Pile Hammer Operator, Hydraulic Press-In Operator, Nozzle Operator, Pile Driver, Pile Driver Engineer, Pile Driver Operator, Pile Driving Inspector, Pile Driving Leadsman, Pile Driving Nozzleman, Pile Driving Operator, Pile Driving Technician.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 47-2072.00
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