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.
U.S. Workers
43,640
Median Salary
$39,270
10-Year Growth
+4.9%
Annual Openings
4,900
Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
14 of 15 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Immerse pipe in chemical solution to remove dirt, oil, and scale.
AI: Fully automatable - Immersion cleaning in chemical baths is a well-understood, controllable industrial process that is readily automated with tanks, conveyors, and process control systems.
Measure, cut, thread and assemble new pipe, placing the assembled pipe in hangers or other supports.
AI: Partial - Measuring, cutting, threading, assembling, and placing pipe involves complex, variable field work and dexterous installation tasks where AI/automation can assist and automate parts (cutting, threading) but cannot fully perform end-to-end work broadly by 2025.
Cut or drill holes in walls or floors to accommodate the passage of pipes.
AI: Partial - Cutting or drilling holes is highly automatable in controlled or repetitive situations, but variable building conditions and on-site adjustments mean AI/robots can only partially automate the task in 2025.
Perform rough-ins, repair and replace fixtures and water heaters, and locate, repair, or remove leaking or broken pipes.
AI: Partial - Rough-ins, fixture and water heater replacement, and leak location require complex diagnostics, dexterous manipulation, and adaptation to unique site conditions, so AI can assist but not fully replace human workers by 2025.
Assist pipe fitters in the layout, assembly, and installation of piping for air, ammonia, gas, and water systems.
AI: Partial - Assisting in layout, assembly, and installation can be aided by AI-driven planning and sensing, but physical assistance and on-site assembly remain partially automatable as of 2025.
Cut pipe and lift up to fitters.
AI: Partial - Cutting pipe and lifting to fitters involves simple automated cutting and mechanized lifting aids, but complete autonomous execution in varied job-site contexts is not broadly achievable by 2025.
Fit or assist in fitting valves, couplings, or assemblies to tanks, pumps, or systems, using hand tools.
AI: Partial - Fitting valves and couplings with hand tools requires fine motor skills and adaptation to variable connections; AI can provide guidance and some robotic assistance but cannot fully replicate human dexterity on all jobs in 2025.
Requisition tools and equipment, select type and size of pipe, and collect and transport materials and equipment to work site.
AI: Partial - Requisitioning and selecting pipe types can be fully automated by software, but the physical collection and transport of materials to varied work sites remains only partially automatable as of 2025.
Mount brackets and hangers on walls and ceilings to hold pipes, and set sleeves or inserts to provide support for pipes.
AI: Partial - Robotic manipulators and guided tools can assist or perform mounting in controlled settings, but variable field conditions and alignment/judgement needs limit full automation by 2025.
Excavate and grade ditches, and lay and join pipe for water and sewer service.
AI: Partial - Autonomous earthmoving and mechanized pipe-laying exist for parts of the workflow, but complex joining, site variability, and final adjustments still require human work and oversight.
Fill pipes with sand or resin to prevent distortion, and hold pipes during bending and installation.
AI: Partial - Pipe filling and fixturing during bending can be mechanized in workshops, but variable field conditions and ad hoc setups mean automation is only partial in many real-world jobs.
Disassemble and remove damaged or worn pipe.
AI: Partial - Robotic systems can cut and remove pipes in constrained, preplanned scenarios, but unpredictable damage, access constraints, and tool manipulation make full automation unreliable in general.
Clean shop, work area, and machines, using solvent and rags.
AI: Partial - Cleaning tasks are widely assisted by robots and automated systems, but solvent handling, detailed wiping, and variable machine layouts still usually need human intervention or supervision.
Clean and renew steam traps.
AI: Partial - Automated diagnostics and sensors can detect failed steam traps, but physical cleaning, repair, and replacement in varied installations still require human technicians.
Install gas burners to convert furnaces from wood, coal, or oil.
AI: Not automatable - Installing gas burners involves safety-critical gas fitting, code compliance, and complex on-site judgement that requires licensed human technicians and cannot be fully automated by 2025.