Side-by-Side Comparison
Plumbers leads 5–0| Metric | Pipelayers | Plumbers |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Score | 21.6% | 18.7% |
| Risk Tier | Low Risk | Low Risk |
| Risk Percentile | 10th | 5th |
| Tasks at Risk (>50%) | 3 / 14 | 2 / 15 |
| Median Salary | $48,710 | $62,970 |
| Employment | 34K | 456K |
Skill Comparison
|
Sorted by largest difference
Controlling Machines and Processes
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Design
Handling and Moving Objects
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Performing General Physical Activities
Scheduling Work and Activities
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Extent Flexibility
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Protective Factors
Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement
Pipelayers
28%
total discount
Plumbers
29%
total discount
Task Risk Comparison
Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable
Pipelayers
3 of 14 at risk84%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.
Plumbers
2 of 15 at risk87%Keep records of work assignments.
54%Estimate time, material, or labor costs for use in project plans.
48%Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures.
45%Inspect structures to assess material or equipment needs, to establish the sequence of pipe installations, or to plan installation around obstructions, such as electrical wiring.
38%Maintain or repair plumbing by replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes, or opening clogged drains.
Wage Comparison
Plumbers earns +$14,260(+29%) vs Pipelayers
PipelayersPlumbers
10th
$36,840$40,670
25th
$42,320$48,860
Median
$48,710$62,970
75th
$60,980$81,900
90th
$80,710$105,150
Premium Head-to-Head Analysis
Displacement Timeline Comparison
Pipelayers2028–2035
Plumbers2028–2035
20242030203520402045
Plumbers has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Pipelayers.
Risk-Adjusted Salary
Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)
Pipelayers
$38,189
from $48,710
Plumbers
$51,195
from $62,970
After adjusting for AI risk, Plumbers offers $13,006 more in risk-adjusted pay.
Transition Feasibility
1%
Skill Overlap
Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition
0
Unique to Pipelayers
0
Unique to Plumbers
Combined Protection Strategy
Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors
Creativity
Decision Complexity
Fine Manipulation
Social Intelligence
PipelayersPlumbers