in 2018 Pikkarainen started playing in
Turun Palloseura (TPS), before he signed with
RB Salzburg youth academy in 2015. Pikkarainen spent three years in Austria, before he returned to Finland and signed with newly promoted
Veikkausliiga club
Kokkolan Palloveikot (KPV) on 11 December 2018 until 2019, with an option to extend the deal until 2020. KPV were relegated back, and he then returned to his former club
TPS for the 2020 season, signing a deal until the end of 2021. On 17 November 2021, he signed a contract with
Vaasan Palloseura (VPS) for the
2022 season. On 9 September 2022, his contract with VPS was extended for the
2023 season. Pikkarainen helped VPS to finish 3rd in the league and qualify for the
UEFA Conference League qualifiers. He was named in the league's Team of the Season in 2023. On 6 November 2023, it was announced that Pikkarainen had signed with
Veikkausliiga club
Ilves on a two-year deal, starting in 2024. He helped Ilves to finish as the runners-up in the league. Pikkarainen was named in the Veikkausliiga Team of the Season again in 2024. On 5 January 2025, Pikkarainen signed with
Allsvenskan club
Degerfors IF until the end of 2027 for an undisclosed fee. Per the reports in media, the fee was in the region of €200,000–300,000. ==International career==