Pile driving hammer operator
Also known as: pile driving hamer operator, pile-driver operative, pile-driver operator, pile drivin' hammer operator, pile driving hammer operative, piling equipment operative
About this occupation
Pile driving hammer operators work with a piece of heavy equipment that positions piles and hammers them into the ground using a rigging mechanism.
Essential skills and knowledge
- use safety equipment in construction
- prevent damage to utility infrastructure
- set up pile helmets or sleeves
- secure heavy construction equipment
- inspect construction sites
- mechanical tools
- mechanical systems
- keep heavy construction equipment in good condition
- drive concrete piles
- work ergonomically
- operate pile driver hammer
- crane load charts
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Pile Driver Operators (O*NET 47-2072.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Active Listening
US median pay: US$73,300 a year (2025), 2,310 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionVery important (4.1)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (3.6)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.6)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.3)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
- Hoist and Winch Operators
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
- Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
- Riggers
- Construction Laborers
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.