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Pipe Layer Operator Jobs in Buchanan, GA (NOW HIRING)

Pipe Layer Operator information

See Buchanan, GA salary details

$11

$19

$28

How much do pipe layer operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for pipe layer operator in Buchanan, GA is $19.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.30 and $21.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a pipe layer operator?

Pipe Layer Operators are skilled construction workers responsible for laying and aligning pipes for sewers, drains, water mains, and other utilities. They operate heavy machinery to dig trenches, position pipes, and ensure proper alignment and sealing according to project specifications. Their role is essential in creating and maintaining infrastructure for water, sewage, and drainage systems. Pipe Layer Operators must have knowledge of safety procedures, blueprints, and pipe installation techniques to ensure effective and efficient work.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a pipe layer operator?

To thrive as a Pipe Layer Operator, you need experience with underground utility installation, knowledge of pipe materials, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with heavy equipment such as excavators, trenchers, and laser alignment systems, as well as relevant safety certifications like OSHA, is typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong communication skills help operators work efficiently and safely on job sites. These skills are crucial to ensure accurate pipe placement, maintain project timelines, and uphold safety standards in construction environments.

What are some common challenges faced by pipe layer operators on construction sites?

Pipe Layer Operators often encounter challenges such as working in varying weather conditions, navigating tight or uneven spaces, and ensuring precise alignment of pipes to meet project specifications. Coordination with other team members, such as equipment operators and site supervisors, is crucial to maintain safety and efficiency. Additionally, operators must be vigilant about following safety protocols and adapting to changes in site conditions to prevent delays or hazards.

What is the difference between Pipe Layer Operator vs Trench Worker?

AspectPipe Layer OperatorTrench Worker
CertificationsOSHA safety training, equipment operation licensesOSHA safety training, basic construction certifications
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, outdoor, heavy machineryConstruction sites, outdoor, manual labor
Job ResponsibilitiesInstalling underground pipes, operating machineryExcavating trenches, assisting with pipe installation

The Pipe Layer Operator and Trench Worker roles often overlap in construction projects, but the Pipe Layer Operator primarily focuses on operating machinery and installing underground pipes, while the Trench Worker assists with excavation and site preparation. Both roles require safety certifications and work outdoors in similar environments, but their specific duties differ based on machinery operation versus manual labor tasks.

What cities near Buchanan, GA are hiring for Pipe Layer Operator jobs?

Cities near Buchanan, GA with the most Pipe Layer Operator job openings:

Infographic showing various Pipe Layer Operator job openings in Buchanan, GA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 48% Full Time, 50% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,324 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

Utility Worker I - $18.99 hourly

Douglas County Water Authority

Douglasville, GA • On-site

$18.99/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

 

Utility Worker I

Department: Systems Maintenance 

Pay Grade: 104 

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 

JOB SUMMARY

This position performs manual labor of routine difficulty completing physically demanding unskilled and limited semi-skilled tasks. Works as a member of a water, wastewater, or construction crew maintaining water, sewer, and storm drain lines. An individual in this position is required to be on-call on a rotating basis. This position reports to the Construction (or Maintenance) Foreman.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

  • Works as a member of a water, wastewater, or construction crew locating utilities, laying pipe, installing fire hydrants, making taps, making bores under roads, driveways, etc., installing valves, valve boxes, landscaping, and other related work.
  • Mixes cement using bricks to rehab and remodel manholes
  • Assists Equipment Operators with spotting utilities and protecting utilities while they are digging.
  • Digs out water, sewer, and/or storm water lines with shovel.
  • Sets up confined space entry equipment
  • Cleans and discards hazardous waste and materials, dirt, and debris from man holes.
  • Assists in repairing service lines, mains, sewer manholes, fire hydrants and valves, and storm drain pipes.
  • Lifts pumps, earth tamping machines, pipes, fittings, and other materials.
  • Performs landscaping duties.
  • Assists equipment operators with properly stocking, maintaining, and cleaning vehicles and equipment.
  • Performs other related duties as required/assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

High School diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) preferred. 

Special Qualifications:

Possession of a valid State of Georgia driver’s license and satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record (MVR). 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

  • Knowledge of county and city streets and locations within the Authority’s delivery system.
  • Knowledge of tools used in maintenance and construction.
  • Knowledge of precautions necessary to work safely with and around mechanized equipment.
  • Knowledge of chemicals, cement, and hazardous waste.
  • Skill in operating small hand tools and equipment.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public.
  • Ability to understand and carry out verbal instructions.
  • Ability to work under varying weather conditions. 
  • Ability to work overtime with little or no notice.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is very heavy work which requires exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

  • Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
  • Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.
  • Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
  • Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
  • Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
  • Fingering: picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
  • Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
  • Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
  • Hearing: sufficient to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction; ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound. 
  • Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
  • Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
  • Mental Acuity: sufficient to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
  • Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
  • Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
  • Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
  • Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers
  • Standing: particularly for sustained periods of time.
  • Talking: sufficient to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
  • Visual Acuity: sufficient to observe violations of codes, to effectively operate standard office equipment; ability to read and write reports, correspondence, instructions, drawings, etc.; and to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment, by both day and night.
  • Walking: sufficient to move about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or move from one work site to another. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is exposed to inclement weather, changes of temperature or humidity; exposure to dust, fume, or gases; and exposure to insects and animals. An employee in this position may be subjected to water depths of up to approximately three feet, or work near hazardous traffic areas. The noise level in this work environment is usually loud. 

The Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority has the right to revise this job description at any time. This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.



Core hours for this position are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with every other Friday off. Employees in this position are required to be on-call on a rotating basis.