Plumbers vs Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

low risk

Plumbers

76 shared · 8 different

core competencies

low risk

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters

Side-by-Side Comparison

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters leads 3–1

Metric	Plumbers	Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters
Risk Score	18.7%	17.8%
Risk Tier	Low Risk	Low Risk
Risk Percentile	5th	3th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	2 / 15	3 / 15
Median Salary	$62,970	$62,970
Employment	456K	456K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Controlling Machines and Processes

Thinking Creatively

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Customer and Personal Service

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material

Extent Flexibility

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Plumbers

29%

total discount

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters

29%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Plumbers

2 of 15 at risk

87%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.

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters

3 of 15 at risk

86%Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.

55%Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.

51%Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.

43%Inspect work sites for obstructions or holes that could cause structural weakness.

39%Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.

Wage Comparison

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters earns $0(0%) vs Plumbers

PlumbersPipe Fitters and Steamfitters

10th

$40,670$40,670

25th

$48,860$48,860

Median

$62,970$62,970

75th

$81,900$81,900

90th

$105,150$105,150

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Plumbers2028–2035

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters2028–2035

20242030203520402045

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Plumbers.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Plumbers

$51,195

from $62,970

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters

$51,774

from $62,970

After adjusting for AI risk, Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters offers $579 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Plumbers

Unique to Pipe

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Creativity

Decision Complexity

Fine Manipulation

Regulatory Barriers

PlumbersPipe Fitters and Steamfitters

Find transitions from Plumbers Find transitions from Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters