Utility construction — putting water, sewer, gas, power, and fiber in the ground — runs on a small set of crew seats, every one of them hiring. Here's what each job actually involves, what postings pay, and the honest path from laborer to foreman.
The seats on an underground crew
| Laborer / groundhand | $16–$22/hr — the entry seat: hand digging, potholing, pipe handling, traffic control. Everyone starts here. |
|---|---|
| Pipelayer | $20–$30/hr — bedding, laying, and joining pipe to line and grade; the craft seat of wet-utility work. |
| Equipment operator | $22–$35/hr — excavators, loaders, plows; smoothness and utility awareness matter more than horsepower. |
| Drill crew (locator/operator) | $22–$38/hr — the HDD seats; locating is the fast-riser role. |
| Foreman | $30–$50/hr — runs the crew, the schedule, and the paperwork. |
Ranges are typical 2026 postings — regional markets and prevailing-wage jobs run higher; see how prevailing wage and per diem change the math.
Why this trade is hiring
Three buildouts compete for the same crews: federally funded broadband, grid hardening and undergrounding, and water-system replacement. Contractors — Nevantin included — hire for reliability and train the skill, because the machine seat can be taught and the show-up-every-day can't.
Getting hired this month
Apply directly to utility contractors (not just job boards), lead with any driving record and CDL status, and say plainly that you'll travel — per diem crews are where the money and the fastest promotions live. OSHA 10 in your first weeks, CDL when offered, and the seats above open in order.