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

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

low risk

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

44 shared · 19 different

core competencies

low risk

Pipelayers

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Metric	Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	Pipelayers
Risk Score	17.2%	21.6%
Risk Tier	Low Risk	Low Risk
Risk Percentile	2th	10th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	1 / 15	3 / 14
Median Salary	$39,270	$48,710
Employment	44K	34K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Thinking Creatively

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Developing Objectives and Strategies

Performing General Physical Activities

Controlling Machines and Processes

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Public Safety and Security

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Operation Monitoring

Handling and Moving Objects

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Operation and Control

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

27%

total discount

Pipelayers

28%

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.

Pipelayers

3 of 14 at risk

84%Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints and coordinating layouts with supervisors.

74%Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers.

74%Locate existing pipes needing repair or replacement, using magnetic or radio indicators.

49%Cover pipes with earth or other materials.

49%Dig trenches to desired or required depths, by hand or using trenching tools.

Wage Comparison

Pipelayers earns +$9,440(+24%) vs Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPipelayers

10th

$31,050$36,840

25th

$35,750$42,320

Median

$39,270$48,710

75th

$46,550$60,980

90th

$54,860$80,710

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

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

Pipelayers2028–2035

20242030203520402045

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

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

$32,519

from $39,270

Pipelayers

$38,189

from $48,710

After adjusting for AI risk, Pipelayers offers $5,669 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Helpers--Pipelayers,

Unique to Pipelayers

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Creativity

Regulatory Barriers

Social Intelligence

Fine Manipulation

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPipelayers

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