Pile Driver Operator salary in the U.S.
Pile Driver Operators in the U.S. earn a median of $73,300 a year ($35.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,600 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $80,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pile driver operators in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,790 | $23.46 |
| 25th percentile | $58,510 | $28.13 |
| Median | $73,300 | $35.24 |
| 75th percentile | $106,430 | $51.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,600 | $59.91 |
| Average (mean) | $80,710 | $38.81 |
Half of pile driver operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,108.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,054.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,819.23 |
| Weekly | $1,409.62 |
| Hourly | $35.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pile Driver Operator salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $120,980 | 130 |
| Washington | $111,080 | 50 |
| California | $110,340 | 480 |
| Pennsylvania | $93,550 | 90 |
| Alaska | $78,080 | 190 |
| Texas | $66,140 | 280 |
| Louisiana | $61,150 | 180 |
| Virginia | $59,910 | 150 |
| Tennessee | $54,830 | 30 |
| Florida | $51,830 | 270 |
| Georgia | $47,930 | 50 |
Best-paying metro areas for pile driver operators
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $132,850 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $124,670 | 70 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $121,900 | 90 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $111,070 | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $106,660 | 130 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $104,870 | 50 |
| Anchorage, AK | $89,880 | 80 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $70,030 | 80 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $66,140 | 90 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $61,610 | 40 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $60,630 | 80 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $60,290 | 70 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $59,740 | 70 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $51,200 | 50 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $46,060 | 60 |
Metro areas with the most pile driver operators
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 130 | $106,660 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 90 | $66,140 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 90 | $121,900 |
| Anchorage, AK | 80 | $89,880 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 80 | $60,630 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 80 | $70,030 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 70 | $59,740 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 70 | $124,670 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 70 | $132,850 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 70 | $60,290 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 60 | $46,060 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 50 | $111,070 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 50 | $104,870 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 50 | $51,200 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 40 | $61,610 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $47,120 | $22.66 |
| Electrician | $63,190 | $30.38 |
| Carpenter | $60,580 | $29.12 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $59,850 | $28.78 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,800 | $30.67 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| Roofer | $55,440 | $26.65 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 | $29.71 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $62,780 | $30.18 |
| Glazier | $57,080 | $27.44 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $62,120 | $29.87 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $49,120 | $23.62 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2072. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pile driver operator make in the U.S.?
The median salary for pile driver operators in the U.S. is $73,300 a year, or $35.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pile driver operators make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of pile driver operators in the U.S. earn at least $124,600 a year. The top 25% earn $106,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for pile driver operators in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,790 a year, and a quarter of pile driver operators earn $58,510 or less.
How many pile driver operators work in the U.S.?
About 2,310 pile driver operators are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.