Getting into the Pipeline Industry: What to Expect
A lot of people ask me about joining the pipeline industry, so here’s some insight. Working on pipelines is a unique and often rewarding career, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. For many, it’s a job that sticks with you—you get hooked on the lifestyle, and leaving it can feel impossible.
The Lifestyle and Hours: Adapting to Long Days
One of the first things to know about pipeline work is that long hours are standard. Pipeline workers often put in 60, 70, or even more hours each week. Imagine this: working ten-hour days for six days straight becomes so normal that a “short” 40-hour week feels like time off. Many pipeline workers, when they finally get time at home, find themselves missing the intensity of the job and the routine of long hours.
For example, if you’re working on a pipeline repair project in North Dakota, you might be out on-site from dawn till dusk, six days a week, and sometimes on Sunday if there’s an urgent need. Pipeline work often means you’re on-call too; you could be resting when a call comes through saying they need you to troubleshoot an issue or move to another job site.
Constant Travel: Embracing the Road Warrior Life
In the pipeline industry, driving long distances is part of the job, and eventually, it doesn’t feel far at all. Many people plan for weeks before taking an 8-hour drive, but pipeline workers often decide to make that drive at a moment’s notice. If you get a call about work several states away, you might pack up your truck in 30 minutes and be on the road, no hesitation. It’s normal to drive hundreds of miles without a second thought.
Imagine being in Texas, getting a call that you’re needed in Montana, and hitting the road immediately. For many pipeline workers, that kind of trip is just another day on the job.
Unpredictable Schedules: Flexibility and Patience Required
The work schedule in the pipeline industry is constantly changing. Plans can shift by the week, day, or even the hour. You might be halfway to a new job site with your camper in tow when you get a call saying the start date is delayed, or the location has changed entirely. For this reason, planning anything long-term can be frustrating and often impossible.
Let’s say you were planning to be home for Thanksgiving. You assumed you’d be working within a few hours of home, but a week before the holiday, the company needs you on a project hundreds of miles away. Suddenly, Thanksgiving plans go out the window.
Challenges for Families: Time Apart and Missed Events
Pipeline work doesn’t just affect the workers—it affects their families too. It’s hard to guarantee that you’ll be home for birthdays, holidays, or even regular weekends. Your spouse might plan a visit home for appointments or to see family, only to end up staying an extra week or two waiting to see if you’re getting closer or heading farther away. Family members have to be flexible too, which isn’t easy.
Imagine being away for your child’s graduation or a family reunion because of a last-minute job relocation. You get used to explaining that “dad’s working” or “mom’s on a job” when asked why you’re missing another event.
Pride and Skill: Craftsmanship in the Field
Despite the demanding schedule, pipeline workers take great pride in their skills. For example, welders in the pipeline industry aim to make perfect, clean welds that stand up to rigorous safety standards. Younger welders often strive to be the fastest on the team, aiming to finish every weld with precision. Meanwhile, experienced welders, who’ve “paid their dues,” work at a steady pace, focusing on quality over speed.
Operators also take pride in their work. A skilled operator might carefully dig perfect steps into the earth to create a “bell hole” (a precise trench needed to work on pipelines) large enough for machinery to operate within safely. It’s a job that requires focus and a careful eye, and many operators strive to make their work as clean and exact as possible.
The pipeline industry isn’t for everyone. It demands flexibility, patience, and a willingness to adapt to constant changes. But for those who enjoy the thrill, the hard work, and the camaraderie, it’s a job like no other. Just know that stepping into this field means adjusting to a unique lifestyle—one that can be tough to leave behind once you’ve started.