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Pipelayers assemble, install, and maintain glazed or unglazed clay, concrete, plastic, or cast-iron pipes that are used as storm or sanitation sewers, drains, water mains, oil or gas lines or electrical or other conduit. 

JOB DUTIES 

Pipelayers may: 

 Follow written instructions or blueprints to lay out the route of the pipe

 Dig trenches to the desired or required depth by hand or using trenching machines

 Level and/or grade the base of the trench using tamping machines or hand tools

 Cut pipe to desired length, if necessary

 Lay pipes in trenches and weld, cement, glue, or otherwise connect pieces together

 Check the slope with carpenter's level or lasers

 Install and repair sanitary and storm water sewer structures and pipe systems

 Cover pipes with earth or other materials

 They may also locate existing pipes needing repair or replacement, using magnetic or radio indicators.

 Click here to watch Pipelayers at work!

 Tools, equipment and materials used may include: 

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OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Pipelayers assemble, install, and maintain glazed or unglazed clay, concrete, plastic, or cast-iron pipes that are used as storm or sanitation sewers, drains, water mains, oil or gas lines, or electrical or other conduit.

  861.381-062 TILE-CONDUIT LAYERS install tile conduit that insulates and protects water or steampipes.

  869.664-014 PIPE LAYERS may specialize in laying sewer pipe, water lines, or gas lines, or in laying pipe that insulates or protects other things such as water lines or electrical wire.

 In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS 

Pipelayers usually work as a member of a construction crew under the direction of a skilled worker or supervisor. They generally work outdoors, sometimes in hot and cold weather extremes, as well as high winds, rain and snow. They usually work in areas that may be dirty, dusty, wet or noisy due to the operation of construction equipment.

They work with powerful, high-speed tools and machines which can be dangerous when safety rules are not strictly observed. Since Pipelayers work in trenches from 4-50 feet or more deep, another safety hazard is falling dirt which could completely cover a worker in a trench or manhole. However, safety requirements limit the danger when observed.

 Pipelayers must wear protective clothing which they may be required to furnish. In frigid climates they wear insulated suits or several layers of clothing, shoe linings, and other thermal wear. Steeltoed shoes and hard hats are worn to protect them from falling objects. Earplugs may be worn in areas near noisy machinery.

Pipelayers usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Overtime may be required to complete a project by the established deadline. They may need to commute long distances or relocate to be near their job sites. Some work year-round. However, some builders prefer to do their trenching and pipelaying during the winter when the ground is hard and can support heavy

equipment. Other builders prefer to do their trenching during the spring and summer before the access roads are paved or during the fall before the frost sets in, to avoid "frost charges" (winter rate increases) from the utility company for underground cables.

 Workers may belong to a union, such as the Laborers' International Union of North America. Pipelayers belonging to unions must pay dues.

 You Should Prefer:

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities of a routine, definite, organized nature

• Activities which involve the use of machines, processes, or methods

 You Should Be Able To:

• Work within precise limits or standards

• Continuously perform the same work

• Work in deep or enclosed areas without fear

 Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a pipe is 2 feet in diameter and the top of the pipe needs to be 4 feet under the ground, what depth does the trench need to be to lay this pipe?

 Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Should be able to read manuals and guidebooks which describe tools and equipment you need to use. Should be able to read blueprints and schematics.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining any accident that may have occurred on the job.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the most efficient way to complete your job so that you waste the least possible time.

Individuals with a high school diploma or the equivalent are preferred by many employers. Mechanical aptitude, knowledge of general construction procedures and terminology, and a valid State of Michigan driver's license may also be required.

Pipelayers must be at least 18 years old and in good physical condition because of the nature of their job.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES 

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

  ***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

 0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 ,MATH , 2300 METALS , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

  ***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

Students should obtain the local Education & Training Opportunities for information on what happens to students who successfully complete a program. This information is available at each high school or career/technical center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

Click here for a more extensive list of information sources for Apprenticeships.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

E-Learning Courses and Programs   

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY 

High school machine shop allows students an opportunity to learn basic construction skills such as the use of hand tools and some equipment. However, the best experience can be gained by working summer jobs as laborers and carriers.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

Informal apprenticeships

Mentorships

Job shadowing experiences

Touring a local Pipelayer employer

Internships

Volunteer work with a Pipelayer employer

Community service work with an agency

The most common method of entering this occupation is to apply directly to local employers and unions. Assistance in locating jobs is available through a local Michigan Works! office. Job openings may be listed in newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Oil and Gas Job Search

ConstructionGigs.com

Building Industry Exchange

Building Industry Association of Southeastern Michigan

Associated Builders and Contractors

Michigan Construction Careers

Michigan Talent Bank

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.  

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT 

Earnings of Pipelayers vary with the individual's experience, the location and size of the employer, the type of work performed, and union affiliation.

Nationally, construction laborers, including Pipelayers, had median weekly earnings of $784 or $19.60 per hour in 2008. Base hourly wage rates for unionized building laborers engaged in residential construction averaged $19.50 in early 2009. And base hourly wage rates for unionized building laborers engaged in commercial and industrial construction averaged $28.94 in 2009.  The median hourly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $18.05 in 2008.

Hourly wage rates, for unionized Pipelayers in various Michigan areas were (early 2009):

Construction laborers may receive 1 1/2 or 2 times their basic hourly rate for overtime, depending on the employer or the provision of the union contract.

The 2007 graduates of high school vocational education programs in Michigan working in jobs related to this occupation earned a beginning average of $10.37 per hour in 2008.

The annual earnings for construction laborers are generally lower than hourly rates indicate because seasonality and fluctuations in construction activity may adversely affect the actual number of hours they work during the year.

Depending on the employer, most unionized Pipelayers receive vacation pay; life, accident, disability and hospitalization insurance and retirement plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers. Non-unionized employees may receive only a few of these benefits.

Beginning jobs in construction require little formal training and include simple tasks such as unloading trucks and digging ditches. A career ladder for a Pipelayer may be: Pipelayer Laborer, Pipelayer, crew leader, supervisor. There are few advancement opportunities for Pipelayers. High school graduates may become skilled craft workers by completing an apprenticeship program.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK   

Nationally, there were about 66,600 Pipelayers employed in 2006. Employment is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016. About 11.3% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Pipelayers looked like this:

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

Additional Pipelayers will be needed to install pipes for water, gas and sewer lines in new commercial and residential developments. They will also be needed to repair and replace aging water and sewer systems in and around older cities. Employment of Pipelayers may fluctuate because construction activity may decrease when the economy is down or during some winter months.

Increasing emphasis on environmental and safety factors will probably lead to the reduced use of lead, zinc, cadmium and the substitute corrosion-resistant materials for pipes in water and sewage systems and industrial waste disposal systems. Industries will face increased pressure to clean up emissions of waste and by-products.

Many openings will occur because of the high employee turnover rate in this industry. However, the need for human labor will be reduced by technological advances.

There are about 500 Pipelayers employed in Michigan. Communications and utility companies and construction contractors are the major employers.

Employment of Pipelayers in Michigan is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016. An average of 10 openings is expected annually, with most due to replacement of workers who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations. In late 2008, there were 1,038 apprentices in training for this occupation and 978 completed their training program during the prior 12 months.

With the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, many new jobs will be created in the construction industry, especially in Michigan. In addition, local governments will need to repair and maintain municipal water and sewer systems..

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2016

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 Copyright © 2009 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth