Pile Driver
UBC Local 1847
Drive foundation piles for bridges, buildings, docks, and retaining walls using heavy equipment.
Starting Pay
$23.86/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$47.71/hr
~$95k/year
Apprenticeship
4 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$130,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Pile drivers from UBC Local 1847 build the foundations that hold up Minnesota's bridges, buildings, docks, and retaining walls. The work involves driving steel H-piles, timber piles, and sheet piling deep into the ground using large impact and vibratory hammers. You'll work on heavy civil and infrastructure projects — bridge construction and repair, waterfront structures, deep foundations for commercial buildings, and earth retention systems. Minnesota has over 13,000 bridges, many of which need replacement or rehabilitation, so there's no shortage of work. This is physically demanding outdoor work that requires comfort around heavy equipment, water, and mud. Crews travel statewide to follow the projects, and the work is seasonal with the heaviest activity from spring through fall.
Day One as an Apprentice
Your first day you'll report to a bridge or foundation project and meet the crew. Expect to start with safety orientation and learning the names and functions of the equipment on site. Early weeks involve ground-level tasks — handling pile materials, signaling crane operators, operating pumps, and learning how to read foundation plans. You'll watch experienced pile drivers set leads, position piles, and monitor driving criteria.
This trade is
Pay Scale
Pay increases each year of the apprenticeship as a percentage of the journeyman rate. All rates are hourly; estimated annual at 2,000 hrs/year.
| Year | Stage | Hourly | Annual Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st Year Apprentice | $23.86/hr | ~$48k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $28.63/hr | ~$57k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $35.78/hr | ~$72k |
| 4 | 4th Year Apprentice | $40.55/hr | ~$81k |
| 5 | Journeyman Pile Driver | $47.71/hr | ~$95k |
Benefits Package
Full family health insurance, defined-benefit pension through the UBC, annuity fund, and paid vacation. Benefits are portable across UBC locals nationwide.
Apprenticeship Program
4 years
Program Length
720 hrs
Classroom Hours
7,000 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Apply through the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters or contact Local 1847 directly. You'll need a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver's license.
Application Windows
Check northcountrycarpenter.org or call the hall for current application dates.
Requirements
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license
- At least 18 years old
- Drug-free workplace — pre-employment drug test required
- Reliable transportation (statewide travel is required)
- Comfortable working near water and in adverse weather
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift and carry up to 75 lbs regularly
- Comfortable working in mud, water, and adverse weather conditions
- Good stamina — long days of physically demanding work
- Ability to work around loud heavy equipment all day
Tools You'll Need
- Basic hand tools: wrenches, hammers, levels, tape measure
- Work boots (steel-toed, waterproof recommended)
- Hard hat and safety glasses (often provided by employer)
Physical Demand
5/5
Technical Level
3/5
Union Hall
Market Outlook
High Demand
MN DEED projects 20% growth for pile driver operators (SOC 47-2072) 2022–2032, far above the BLS national projection of 4% 2024–2034. This is a small occupation (~50 MN workers) so absolute change is small, but Minnesota bridge and infrastructure investment drives well-above-average demand.
Next Steps
Ready to learn more or apply? Here's what to do right now.
Wage source: Journeyman base hourly rate is sourced from the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry Commercial Prevailing Wage Schedule (effective 2025-12-22), which is derived from the prevailing collective bargaining agreement for Statewide. Total package (with fringe benefits) is higher than the base rate shown. Apprentice progression rates are calculated as standard percentages of journeyman scale and may differ slightly from the actual CBA. This page is not affiliated with UBC Local 1847 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with UBC Local 1847.