At a Glance
Quick Answer
Pile Driver Operators earn a median $33.55/hr ($69,780/yr). Top-paying state: New York at $50.22/hr. True labor cost with burden: ~$46.97/hr.
Operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads, or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads, and foundations of structures.
Overview
Wage Summary
Distribution
Wage Distribution
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024. Percentiles represent the wage below which a given percentage of workers fall.
Geography
Top-Paying Regions
Top-Paying States
| # | State | Median Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $50.22 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $48.67 |
| 3 | Illinois | $47.55 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $46.22 |
| 5 | California | $44.88 |
Top-Paying Metro Areas
| # | Metro Area | Median Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $55.88 |
| 2 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $52.22 |
| 3 | San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $50.55 |
| 4 | Honolulu, HI | $49.33 |
| 5 | Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $47.88 |
Cost Analysis
True Labor Cost
~$46.97/hr fully loaded
The base wage of $33.55/hr becomes approximately $46.97/hr after applying a 1.4x burden rate (payroll taxes, insurance, benefits, overhead).
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FAQ
Questions Contractors Ask
What is the average salary for pile driver operators?
The national median salary for pile driver operators is $69,780 per year ($33.55/hour). The mean hourly wage is $35.22. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) earn $20.88/hr while top earners (90th percentile) make $52.67/hr.
What states pay pile driver operators the most?
The top-paying states for pile driver operators are New York ($50.22/hr), Hawaii ($48.67/hr), Illinois ($47.55/hr), New Jersey ($46.22/hr), California ($44.88/hr). These higher wages typically reflect strong union presence, high cost of living, and prevailing wage laws.
What is the true cost of hiring pile driver operators?
The true cost is typically 1.4x the base wage after adding payroll taxes (7.65% FICA), workers compensation insurance (varies by trade), general liability, health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off. For pile driver operators earning $33.55/hr, the fully loaded rate would be approximately $46.97/hr.
How many pile driver operators are employed in the US?
According to BLS data, there are approximately 5,200 pile driver operators employed in the United States.