Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Help plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, or pipelayers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
AI Impact Summary
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 17/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 2% of all analyzed occupations. Of 15 analyzed tasks, 0 are highly automatable. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
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AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path
by Pluralsight
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Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
15 tasks analyzed
Measure, cut, thread and assemble new pipe, placing the assembled pipe in hangers or other supports.
Cut or drill holes in walls or floors to accommodate the passage of pipes.
Perform rough-ins, repair and replace fixtures and water heaters, and locate, repair, or remove leaking or broken pipes.
Assist pipe fitters in the layout, assembly, and installation of piping for air, ammonia, gas, and water systems.
Install gas burners to convert furnaces from wood, coal, or oil.
Cut pipe and lift up to fitters.
Fit or assist in fitting valves, couplings, or assemblies to tanks, pumps, or systems, using hand tools.
Requisition tools and equipment, select type and size of pipe, and collect and transport materials and equipment to work site.
Mount brackets and hangers on walls and ceilings to hold pipes, and set sleeves or inserts to provide support for pipes.
Excavate and grade ditches, and lay and join pipe for water and sewer service.
Fill pipes with sand or resin to prevent distortion, and hold pipes during bending and installation.
Disassemble and remove damaged or worn pipe.
Immerse pipe in chemical solution to remove dirt, oil, and scale.
Clean shop, work area, and machines, using solvent and rags.
Clean and renew steam traps.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure, cut, thread and assemble new pipe, placing the assembled pipe in hangers or other supports. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 10% | |
| Cut or drill holes in walls or floors to accommodate the passage of pipes. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 8% | |
| Perform rough-ins, repair and replace fixtures and water heaters, and locate, repair, or remove leaking or broken pipes. | 59.38Observed | 32.8% | 10% | |
| Assist pipe fitters in the layout, assembly, and installation of piping for air, ammonia, gas, and water systems. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 10% | |
| Install gas burners to convert furnaces from wood, coal, or oil. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 3% | |
| Cut pipe and lift up to fitters. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 10% | |
| Fit or assist in fitting valves, couplings, or assemblies to tanks, pumps, or systems, using hand tools. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 8% | |
| Requisition tools and equipment, select type and size of pipe, and collect and transport materials and equipment to work site. | 48.32Observed | 68.5% | 8% | |
| Mount brackets and hangers on walls and ceilings to hold pipes, and set sleeves or inserts to provide support for pipes. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 8% | |
| Excavate and grade ditches, and lay and join pipe for water and sewer service. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 8% | |
| Fill pipes with sand or resin to prevent distortion, and hold pipes during bending and installation. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 3% | |
| Disassemble and remove damaged or worn pipe. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 5% | |
| Immerse pipe in chemical solution to remove dirt, oil, and scale. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Clean shop, work area, and machines, using solvent and rags. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 4% | |
| Clean and renew steam traps. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 26.9%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$39,270
per year
Mean Wage
$41,720
per year
Employment
44K
workers
Wage Range
$31,050 - $54,860
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change