Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Helpers--Carpenters AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

low risk

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

47 shared · 18 different

core competencies

low risk

Helpers--Carpenters

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Metric	Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	Helpers--Carpenters
Risk Score	17.2%	23.8%
Risk Tier	Low Risk	Low Risk
Risk Percentile	2th	16th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	1 / 15	5 / 15
Median Salary	$39,270	$41,600
Employment	44K	25K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Thinking Creatively

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material

Performing General Physical Activities

Public Safety and Security

Developing Objectives and Strategies

English Language

Production and Processing

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Assisting and Caring for Others

Transportation

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

27%

total discount

Helpers--Carpenters

29%

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.

Helpers--Carpenters

5 of 15 at risk

63%Hold plumb bobs, sighting rods, or other equipment to aid in establishing reference points and lines.

57%Cut timbers, lumber, or paneling to specified dimensions.

57%Smooth or sand surfaces to remove ridges, tool marks, glue, or caulking.

53%Glue and clamp edges or joints of assembled parts.

51%Perform tie spacing layout and measure, mark, drill or cut.

Wage Comparison

Helpers--Carpenters earns +$2,330(+6%) vs Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersHelpers--Carpenters

10th

$31,050$31,540

25th

$35,750$35,870

Median

$39,270$41,600

75th

$46,550$46,780

90th

$54,860$52,380

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

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

Helpers--Carpenters2028–2035

20242030203520402045

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

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

$32,519

from $39,270

Helpers--Carpenters

$31,687

from $41,600

After adjusting for AI risk, Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters offers $833 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Helpers--Pipelayers,

Unique to Helpers--Carpenters

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Regulatory Barriers

Decision Complexity

Creativity

Social Intelligence

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersHelpers--Carpenters

Find transitions from Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Find transitions from Helpers--Carpenters