How much does a pile driver operator make?
The median pile driver operator in the United States earns $70,510 per year, about $33.90 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all pile driver operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 47-2072.
Pile driver operator salary range
Pay for pile driver operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $46,690 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $121,990. The average (mean) wage of $79,000 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,690 | $22.45 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $54,750 | $26.32 | |
| Median (50th) | $70,510 | $33.90 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $103,960 | $49.98 | |
| 90th percentile | $121,990 | $58.65 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for pile driver operators (SOC 47-2072), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Pile driver operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Pile driver operators earn the most in New Jersey at $125,050 a year, and the least in North Carolina at $44,990. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $125,050 | 60 |
| Massachusetts | $113,360 | 220 |
| California | $105,950 | 790 |
| Washington | $101,260 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $91,160 | 30 |
| Alaska | $87,630 | 110 |
| Maryland | $77,990 | N/A |
| Texas | $66,070 | 270 |
| Louisiana | $58,980 | 180 |
| South Carolina | $55,960 | N/A |
| Florida | $54,750 | 560 |
| Virginia | $49,960 | 130 |
| Indiana | $49,330 | 60 |
| Georgia | $46,710 | 70 |
| North Carolina | $44,990 | N/A |
State median wages for pile driver operators (SOC 47-2072), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for pile driver operators
The BLS projects employment of pile driver operators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 5.7%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 2,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 2,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 200 openings a year for pile driver operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a pile driver operator
The typical entry-level education for pile driver operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a pile driver operator earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $125,050) and the lowest (North Carolina, $44,990) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,040 people work as pile driver operators in the United States. At $70,510 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Pile driver operator salary FAQ
How much does a pile driver operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a pile driver operator is $33.90. The middle half of pile driver operators earn between $26.32 and $49.98 per hour.
What is the highest pile driver operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of pile driver operators earn more than $121,990 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a pile driver operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a pile driver operator is $70,510. The average (mean) wage of $79,000 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a pile driver operator a well paid job?
At $70,510 a year, a pile driver operator earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,040 people work as pile driver operators in the United States.
Which state pays pile driver operators the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for pile driver operators at $125,050 a year. Massachusetts ($113,360) and California ($105,950) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a pile driver operator a good career?
Employment of pile driver operators is projected to shrink 5.7% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a pile driver operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for pile driver operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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