Lays water, sewer and storm drain pipes in trenches for utility contractors and cities, setting each pipe to the right slope and sealing the joints.
You work in a shored trench guiding a 20-foot pipe into place, check its slope with a laser, and seal the joint.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. On-the-job training or a laborers' apprenticeship.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Apprenticeship. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Construction Laborer (apprenticeship).
Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. Laser grade control and trench machines help, but laying and joining pipe in trenches stays hands-on.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to underground utility contractors or the laborers' union; trench work is 18+
Classes: Construction CTE, Plumbing CTE, Algebra.
Official data: O*NET occupation 47-2151.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.