Post job

What does a pipe layer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read

A pipe layer specializes in assembling and connecting pipes, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically include conducting initial ground assessments and examinations, digging pipe trenches, sealing pipe joints, measuring routes, and locating existing systems using particular detectors. They may also remove malfunctioning or old pipe systems, conduct inspections, ensure alignment, and perform progress reports as needed. Moreover, a pipe layer typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a safe and efficient workflow.

On this page

Pipe layer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real pipe layer resumes:

  • Make sure the trench for pipe are dug and on grade.
  • Pipe layer, run heavy equipment, general labor
  • Operate equipment, such as pickup trucks, rollers, front-end loaders, or backhoes.
  • Pipe layer, with experience in c900, cast iron, RCP.
  • Install roof shingles, ridge vent, feel paper and ridge caps.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot plumbing systems.
  • Install fire hydrants and water taps.
  • Dig holes or drainage ditches using shovels and picks.
  • Work expensively with HDPE, ductile iron and PVC pipe.
  • Assemble and install pipe selections, fittings and plumbing fixtures.
  • Install underground pipe for commercial/residential 4"6"12"PVC
  • Excavate to subgrade and replace with appropriate materials using hand hold GPS.
  • Raise and lower man hole ring and covers, replace asphalt and clean up.
  • Pipe layer, front end loader, heavy equipment operator, installation of man holes and various asphalt jobs and equipment.
  • Perform all duties require to install, maintain, replace and retro-fit commercial HVAC equipment and ducting systems.

Pipe layer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Pipe Layers are proficient in Hand Tools, Asphalt, and Water Mains. They’re also known for soft skills such as Mechanical skills, Dexterity, and Troubleshooting skills.

We break down the percentage of Pipe Layers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Hand Tools, 14%

    Grade and level trench bases, using tamping and hand tools.

  • Asphalt, 10%

    Lay pipe, concrete, Asphalt, drive the company truck to get my employees on the job site on time.

  • Water Mains, 9%

    Lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains mostly for the city of Durham.

  • Pipe Systems, 6%

    Understand and safely operate all equipment used for trenching, aligning, and properly installing pipe systems.

  • PVC, 5%

    Worked expensively with HDPE, ductile iron and PVC pipe.

  • OSHA, 4%

    pipe layer read plans setup Laser OSHA class .

"hand tools," "asphalt," and "water mains" are among the most common skills that pipe layers use at work. You can find even more pipe layer responsibilities below, including:

Mechanical skills. One of the key soft skills for a pipe layer to have is mechanical skills. You can see how this relates to what pipe layers do because "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." Additionally, a pipe layer resume shows how pipe layers use mechanical skills: "top man and tail man with laying pipes cutting pipes puting them in cutting concrete laying asphalt and etc mechanical piping"

See the full list of pipe layer skills

The three companies that hire the most pipe layers are:

Choose from 10+ customizable pipe layer resume templates

Build a professional pipe layer resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your pipe layer resume.
Pipe Layer Resume
Pipe Layer Resume
Pipe Layer Resume
Pipe Layer Resume
Pipe Layer Resume
Pipe Layer Resume
Pipe Layer Resume
Pipe Layer Resume
Pipe Layer Resume
Pipe Layer Resume
Pipe Layer Resume
Pipe Layer Resume
Pipe Layer Resume
Pipe Layer Resume
Pipe Layer Resume
Pipe Layer Resume

Compare different pipe layers

Pipe layer vs. Mason

A mason is responsible for shaping artificial mineral products, concrete blocks, stone pieces, and bricks to create structures essential for construction or other building purposes using various machinery and equipment, following the highest safety standards and production procedures. Masons analyze schematics and blueprints, applying the clients' specifications and customization to their product expertise. They also inspect tools and equipment, ensuring that the materials are free from any defects to avoid hazards and construction delays.

If we compare the average pipe layer annual salary with that of a mason, we find that masons typically earn a $6,232 higher salary than pipe layers make annually.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a pipe layer are more likely to require skills like "hand tools," "asphalt," "water mains," and "pipe systems." On the other hand, a job as a mason requires skills like "masonry," "scaffolding," "safety regulations," and "dump truck." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

On average, masons reach similar levels of education than pipe layers. Masons are 4.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Pipe layer vs. Journeyman

A journeyman is an experienced worker whose role will vary on the line of industry where one is involved. They work without supervision from a master craftsman. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around performing manual work such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical and mechanical tasks, and other forms of trade. Furthermore, a journeyman can choose whether to work independently or to be part of a business entity. They can also recruit and train an apprentice, or even pursue to become a master in their preferred field.

A career as a journeyman brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a pipe layer. In fact, journeymen salary is $19,940 higher than the salary of pipe layers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Pipe layers and journeymen both require similar skills like "hand tools," "pipe systems," and "pvc" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real pipe layer resumes. While pipe layer responsibilities can utilize skills like "asphalt," "water mains," "construction sites," and "sewer pipe," journeymen use skills like "hvac," "preventative maintenance," "safety regulations," and "electrical systems."

Journeymen earn a higher average salary than pipe layers. But journeymen earn the highest pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $62,379. Additionally, pipe layers earn the highest salaries in the construction with average pay of $45,038 annually.journeymen earn similar levels of education than pipe layers in general. They're 2.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Pipe layer vs. Journeyman plumber

A journeyman plumber is responsible for conducting basic plumbing tasks, such as installing and repairing plumbing lines under the supervision of a head plumber. Journeyman plumbers connect pipes and ensure the stability of plumbing lines to avoid potential hazards and possible defects. They handle the maintenance and replacement of fixtures and identify the source of failure to adjust pressure and seal connections as needed. A journeyman plumber must be able to detect irregularities immediately and provide estimate costing to the customers for repairs.

On average, journeyman plumbers earn higher salaries than pipe layers, with a $16,936 difference per year.pipe layers and journeyman plumbers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "hand tools," "water mains," and "pipe systems," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from pipe layer resumes include skills like "asphalt," "construction sites," "sewer pipe," and "excavations," whereas a journeyman plumber is more likely to list skills in "drainage systems," "customer service," "pipe fittings," and "hvac. "

Journeyman plumbers earn the best pay in the construction industry, where they command an average salary of $57,788. Pipe layers earn the highest pay from the construction industry, with an average salary of $45,038.journeyman plumbers typically earn similar educational levels compared to pipe layers. Specifically, they're 2.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Pipe layer vs. Journeyman ironworker

Journeyman ironworkers tend to earn a higher pay than pipe layers by an average of $3,570 per year.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between pipe layers and journeyman ironworkers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a pipe layer might have more use for skills like "hand tools," "asphalt," "water mains," and "pipe systems." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of journeyman ironworkers require skills like "cranes," "bars," "hoisting," and "rebar. "

The average resume of journeyman ironworkers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to pipe layers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.0%.

Types of pipe layer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse construction and extraction jobs