How to hire a pipeline technician

How to hire a pipeline technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step pipeline technician hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a pipeline technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new pipeline technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your pipeline technician job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a pipeline technician for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A pipeline technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, pipeline technicians from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents pipeline technician salaries for various positions.

   Type of Pipeline Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Pipeline Technician	Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health. In addition, they work to ensure that environmental violations are prevented.	$12-30
   Laboratory Analyst	A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.	$14-29
   Environmental Services Supervisor	Environmental services supervisors direct and administer a healthcare facility's housekeeping program to maintain sanitation and occupational health. They help departments in charge of the cleanup, sanitation, pest control, housekeeping, and laundry... Show more	$14-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • DOT
   • Safety Equipment
   • Excavations
   • Pump Stations
   • Pipeline Operations
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Pigs
   • Safety Procedures
   • Regulatory Agencies
   • Gas Meters
   • Dehydration
   • One-Calls
   • NGL
   • Troubleshoot

   Check all skills

   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.
   • Keep general area clean per OSHA regulations wear the basic, PPE on pipeline construction site hard hat.
   • Perform daily, weekly and annual maintenance on pumps, compressors, generators, boosters, flanges and pigs.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your pipeline technician job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A pipeline technician can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, pipeline technicians' average salary in tennessee is 39% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level pipeline technicians 59% less than senior-level pipeline technicians.
   • Certifications. A pipeline technician with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a pipeline technician's salary.

   Average pipeline technician salary

   $40,614yearly

   $19.53 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level pipeline technician salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing a pipeline technician job description

   A pipeline technician job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a pipeline technician job description:

   Pipeline technician job description example

   The Nondestructive Testing technician will independently perform inspections utilizing various NDT techniques seeking corrosion, defects, or detrimental conditions in accordance with specific written criteria. The Technician will perform inspections, interpret indications, and report results per company requirements. The Technician will be able to communicate processes, procedures and results to customers.
   Essential Job Functions
   Maintains a safe, secure and healthy environment by adhering to Company/Customer safety standards and practices and to legal regulations, alerting others regarding potential hazards or concern Performs all duties as assigned and adheres to TEAM's Core Values and Seven Critical Choices.Assists the Sr. Technician and instructs the apprentice level personnel on the job.Studies to gain NDT certifications while assisting to gain hands-on experience in various NDT methods.Performs any duties assigned by the SR Technician on the job.Performs supervisory activities over apprentice level personnel on the job as needed.Maintains NDT certification.Performs NDT inspections for which certified.Interprets and reports results of inspections, and maintains documentation of inspection activities.
   Job Qualifications
   High school diploma or equivalent required An understanding of basic math Ability to work in Microsoft WordAbility to work with computers / computerized equipment Ability to read, understand, and communicate in EnglishMinimum 2 yrs experience in NDT field as a certified technician in at least 2 methods Previous Certification to Level II in a minimum of one method (PT, MT, UT, RT, ET) preferred Travel requirement; 0-75%Ability to handle chemicals in a safe manner Ability to follow instructions
   Work Conditions
   Position is based out of a branch or site location.Field duties require indoor and outdoor work in a plant atmosphere Interaction with other crew employees, as well as supervisors and client personnel Working in plant and/or shop areas around production machinery with extreme noise levels Must be able to wear safety equipment as required by the safety department for personal protection May be at more than one job site in a day and must be able to tolerate climate changes May be required to travel out of town on a periodic basis
   Physical and Mental Requirements
   Ability to lift and carry 75 pounds Must be able to walk and climb except when performing non-field duties Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits employee to communicate effectively Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodations, which permits employee to investigations Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permit the employee to perform routine office duties Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodations to perform office duties and travel when necessary to off-site locations Sufficient personal mobility to maneuver within a refinery or plant environment to include the ability to gain access to elevated platforms via ladders and stairwells Ability to maintain focus and multitask effectively Excellent communication skills
   
   TEAM provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
   This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right pipeline technician for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your pipeline technician job on Zippia to find and recruit pipeline technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting pipeline technicians requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new pipeline technician

   Once you've decided on a perfect pipeline technician candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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