As of June 2026, Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters has an AI-exposure score of 29/100 (Low exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
More exposed than 1% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$42,360. About 4,900 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).
Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.
How you compare to similar Construction roles
Your tasks, by AI exposure
No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as durable (100%).
No augmentable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as durable (100%).
- Install gas burners to convert furnaces from wood, coal, or oil.
- Mount brackets and hangers on walls and ceilings to hold pipes, and set sleeves or inserts to provide support for pipes.
- Excavate and grade ditches, and lay and join pipe for water and sewer service.
- Measure, cut, thread and assemble new pipe, placing the assembled pipe in hangers or other supports.
- Requisition tools and equipment, select type and size of pipe, and collect and transport materials and equipment to work site.
- Clean shop, work area, and machines, using solvent and rags.
- Immerse pipe in chemical solution to remove dirt, oil, and scale.
- Clean and renew steam traps.
- Perform rough-ins, repair and replace fixtures and water heaters, and locate, repair, or remove leaking or broken pipes.
- Fit or assist in fitting valves, couplings, or assemblies to tanks, pumps, or systems, using hand tools.
- Assist pipe fitters in the layout, assembly, and installation of piping for air, ammonia, gas, and water systems.
- Cut pipe and lift up to fitters.
- Fill pipes with sand or resin to prevent distortion, and hold pipes during bending and installation.
- Cut or drill holes in walls or floors to accommodate the passage of pipes.
- Disassemble and remove damaged or worn pipe.
Safer adjacent roles
Your AI-Safe Career Report
Every task scored with what to do about it · 5–10 safer roles with salary, demand & reachability · skill-gap map · a 30/60/90-day roadmap · plus a résumé & LinkedIn rewrite · PDF.
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Workers with AI skills earn a roughly 62% wage premium — adapting pays. — PwC Global AI Jobs Barometer, 2026
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