How To Become A Pipeline Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is a pipeline technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Pipeline transport is a primary means of transporting liquids or gases through a system of pipes. Since the pipes often transport combustibles, all hands must be on deck to prevent leakages and protect human lives.

A pipeline technician's task is to oversee and maintain the pipeline system. They are responsible for testing, repairing, and maintaining all pipeline equipment. They must also check for leakages and other factors that may affect the safety of pipeline pipes. If they notice any abnormality during inspection, they must fix it.

There are many skills a pipeline technician should have. Some of them include critical thinking, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills. A pipeline technician needs a minimum of a high school diploma to qualify for the job; on-the-job training is provided.

ScorePipeline TechnicianUS Average

Salary

3.2

Avg. Salary $40,614

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.4

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.98%

Asian 10.44%

Black or African American 9.64%

Hispanic or Latino 17.03%

Unknown 5.68%

White 56.22%

Gender

female 4.33%

male 95.67%

Age - 35

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 35

Stress level

6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.8

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a pipeline technician

Explore pipeline technician education requirements

Most common pipeline technician degrees

Bachelor's

32.7 %

High School Diploma

31.3 %

Associate

24.0 %

Start to develop specific pipeline technician skills

Skills	Percentages
DOT	6.93%
Safety Equipment	6.39%
Excavations	6.24%
Pump Stations	5.87%
Pipeline Operations	4.35%

Complete relevant pipeline technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New pipeline technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a pipeline technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real pipeline technician resumes.

Research pipeline technician duties and responsibilities

Manage daily RCRA inspections and mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment preventive/corrective maintenance procedures.
Establish and maintain spatial databases using ESRI ArcGIS.
Receive training in management, civil rights, computer security, and ArcGIS.
Monitor the gas flow rates from the meter to assure the pigs will launch and be receive.

Prepare your pipeline technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your pipeline technician resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a pipeline technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable pipeline technician resume templates

Build a professional pipeline technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your pipeline technician resume.