Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Construction Laborers AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

low risk

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

46 shared · 18 different

core competencies

low risk

Construction Laborers

Side-by-Side Comparison

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters leads 4–1

Metric	Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	Construction Laborers
Risk Score	17.2%	17.8%
Risk Tier	Low Risk	Low Risk
Risk Percentile	2th	4th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	1 / 15	3 / 15
Median Salary	$39,270	$46,730
Employment	44K	1.1M

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Thinking Creatively

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material

Assisting and Caring for Others

Public Safety and Security

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Developing Objectives and Strategies

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

27%

total discount

Construction Laborers

26%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

1 of 15 at risk

69%Requisition tools and equipment, select type and size of pipe, and collect and transport materials and equipment to work site.

47%Immerse pipe in chemical solution to remove dirt, oil, and scale.

41%Cut pipe and lift up to fitters.

41%Fill pipes with sand or resin to prevent distortion, and hold pipes during bending and installation.

41%Clean shop, work area, and machines, using solvent and rags.

Construction Laborers

3 of 15 at risk

71%Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed.

70%Operate or maintain air monitoring or other sampling devices in confined or hazardous environments.

68%Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.

49%Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt.

47%Control traffic passing near, in, or around work zones.

Wage Comparison

Construction Laborers earns +$7,460(+19%) vs Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersConstruction Laborers

10th

$31,050$34,200

25th

$35,750$38,100

Median

$39,270$46,730

75th

$46,550$58,910

90th

$54,860$77,530

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters2028–2035

Construction Laborers2028–2035

20242030203520402045

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Construction Laborers.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

$32,519

from $39,270

Construction Laborers

$38,412

from $46,730

After adjusting for AI risk, Construction Laborers offers $5,893 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Helpers--Pipelayers,

Unique to Construction

Combined Protection Strategy

Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors

Regulatory Barriers

Creativity

Decision Complexity

Fine Manipulation

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersConstruction Laborers

Find transitions from Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Find transitions from Construction Laborers