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US job code 47-2072People-facingMedium change by 2035

Pile Driver Operators

Machines can already do 5% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 33%. The job changes before it disappears.

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Share of the work machines can do

Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050

100%75%50%25%2026203520505%Half: 2040

Pile Driver Operators in 2026: the short answer

  • Today: machines can do 5% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
  • Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2040, and 33% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
  • Size: 2,310 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $73,300 a year.
  • Contact with people: it scores 72% for contact with people.
  • Also called: Pile Driver, Pile Driver Operator, Pile Driving Operator.
  • Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.

Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.

Machines can do today
5%of the tasks, 2026
By 2035
33%half the tasks by 2040
US median pay
$73,300a year, May 2025
US jobs
2k2,310 people
Contact with people
72%how people-facing
Step 1AnticipateWhat is changing? Free to everyone

How the work changes, task by task

The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.

TaskShare of the dayMachines can do2026 to 2035
Move hand and foot levers of hoisting equipment to position piling leads, hoist piling into leads, and position hammers over pilings33%
3% to 30%
Move levers and turn valves to activate power hammers, or to raise and lower drophammers that drive piles to required depths27%
3% to 30%
Drive pilings to provide support for buildings or other structures, using heavy equipment with a pile driver head21%
3% to 30%
Conduct pre-operational checks on equipment to ensure proper functioning9%
3% to 30%
Clean, lubricate, and refill equipment9%
20% to 60%
Step 2AssessWhy should I care? Free to everyone

The skills this job runs on

The skills pile driver operators use most, most used first.

Physical and manualTrade craftsProfessionalism and work ethicEngineering designAnalysis and dataOperations and processAdaptability and resilienceInterdisciplinary thinking

Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace

How much pile driver operators rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.

  • Go-to problem solver5/10
  • Trust and reliability5/10
  • Know-how about the organisation5/10
  • Network and relationships2/10
  • Mentoring and developing others1/10
  • Culture and morale3/10
  • Initiative beyond the role1/10
  • Calm in a crisis3/10
  • Bridge between teams2/10
  • Reputation and influence1/10

Safer jobs nearby

Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.

This job is already among the lowest risk for its skill shape.

Step 3ActWhat do I do about it? Free plan and up
What do I do about it

What should you do about it?

Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.

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  • Pay trend

    Where pay for this job is heading.

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  • Shared workspace

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Questions

When will machines do half of the tasks of Pile Driver Operators?

Machines can do half of its tasks by 2040. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.

Will AI take the job of pile driver operators?

Machines can do 5% of the tasks of pile driver operators today and 33% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.

Sources and citing

Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 47-2072.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.

Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Pile Driver Operators: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/pile-driver-operators/