AITakeover Tracker
19%low risk

Plumbers

Assemble, install, or repair pipes, fittings, or fixtures of heating, water, or drainage systems, according to specifications or plumbing codes.

Green Enhanced SkillsHigher risk than 5% of occupations

AI Impact Summary

Plumbers faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 19/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 5% of all analyzed occupations. Of 23 analyzed tasks, 2 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.

Skill Impact Analysis

AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Information Ordering5%

High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Reading Comprehension10%

Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

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)

Leadership88%

Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Adaptability/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Instructing75%

Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Equipment Maintenance78%

Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Service Orientation82%

Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

AI-Augmented Skills (7)

Critical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringActive LearningWritingSystems AnalysisTechnology Design

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Plumbers 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

DataCampbeginner

SQL Fundamentals Skill Track

by DataCamp

21 hours$25/mo4.7Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Information Ordering

Estimated Impact

-6.9pt risk+$3K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Courserabeginner

Google UX Design Professional Certificate

by Google

~5 months$49/mo4.8Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Critical Thinking

Estimated Impact

-5.1pt risk+$3K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Courseraintermediate

Leading People and Teams Specialization

by University of Michigan

~6 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate
Strengthens resilience: Leadership

Estimated Impact

-3.8pt risk+$4K/yr salary

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

Less than High School3%
High School Diploma31%
Some College61%
Associate's Degree5%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

None6%
Up to 1 month1%
1-3 months1%
3-6 months1%
6 months - 1 year17%
1-2 years27%
2-4 years32%
4-6 years12%
Over 10 years2%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

None6%
Up to 1 month6%
1-3 months17%
6 months - 1 year21%
1-2 years13%
2-4 years21%
4-6 years17%

How AI Impacts Each Task

23 tasks analyzed

Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 10%

Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, or fixtures such as sinks or toilets, using hand or power tools.

Risk: 31.4%AI: 56.07ObservedTime: 10%

Keep records of work assignments.

Risk: 87.2%AI: 95EstimatedTime: 3%

Maintain or repair plumbing by replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes, or opening clogged drains.

Risk: 38.2%AI: 73ObservedTime: 10%

Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 5%

Direct helpers engaged in pipe cutting, preassembly, or installation of plumbing systems or components.

Risk: 19.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 4%

Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 4%

Measure, cut, thread, or bend pipe to required angle, using hand or power tools or machines, such as pipe cutters, pipe-threading machines, or pipe-bending machines.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 8%

Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures.

Risk: 48.0%AI: 52.52ObservedTime: 5%

Anchor steel supports from ceiling joists to hold pipes in place.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 4%

Estimate time, material, or labor costs for use in project plans.

Risk: 53.7%AI: 66.67ObservedTime: 4%

Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 5%

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.

Risk: 44.6%AI: 43.95ObservedTime: 5%

Install green plumbing equipment, such as faucet flow restrictors, dual-flush or pressure-assisted flush toilets, or tankless hot water heaters.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 4%

Weld small pipes or special piping, using specialized techniques, equipment, or materials, such as computer-assisted welding or microchip fabrication.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 2%

Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes or pipe fittings, using hand or power tools.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 3%

Install alternative water sources, such as rainwater harvesting systems or graywater reuse systems.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 2%

Recommend energy or water saving products, such as low-flow faucets or shower heads, water-saving toilets, or high-efficiency hot water heaters.

Risk: 39.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 2%

Determine sizing requirements for solar hot water heating systems, taking into account factors such as site orientation, load calculations, or storage capacity requirements.

Risk: 59.0%AI: 80EstimatedTime: 2%

Perform domestic plumbing audits to identify ways in which customers might reduce consumption of water or energy.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 2%

Calculate costs or savings for water- or energy-efficient appliances or systems.

Risk: 71.7%AI: 56.25ObservedTime: 2%

Install, test, or commission solar thermal or solar photovoltaic hot water heating systems.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 2%

Compile information on governmental incentive programs related to the installation of energy or water saving plumbing systems or devices.

Risk: 68.4%AI: 48.08ObservedTime: 2%

Protective Factors

Total protective discount: 29.3%

Essential Soft Skills

Traits that are hard for AI to replicate

DependabilityAttention to DetailIntegrityCooperationInitiativeLeadershipPersistenceIndependenceConcern for OthersSelf ControlAchievement/EffortStress Tolerance

Wage & Employment (2024)

Median Wage

$62,970

per year

Mean Wage

$69,940

per year

Employment

456K

workers

Wage Range

$40,670 - $105,150

10th - 90th pct

Wage Distribution

$40,670Median: $62,970$105,150
Career Planning

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Recommendations

Skills to Develop

These skills are at risk from AI automation. Plumbers 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

    High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

  • 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.

  • Leadership

    Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • 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.

  • Complex Problem Solving

    Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Instructing

    Instructing 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

-2.3

overall change

Checking for existing plan...