Rankings β†’ Will AI Replace…

Will AI Replace Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?

46/100 β€” Elevated
SOC 47-3015

πŸ’‘ Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters have a composite risk score of 46/100 (Frey-Osborne probability: 57%, GenAI exposure: 10/100). With 43,640 workers in the US, this occupation faces moderate but manageable AI pressure. Full occupation profile β†’

🎯 The Verdict

Possible. Significant task automation is underway β€” workers should actively upskill.

With 43,640 workers and a median wage of $39K,helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters represent a significant portion of the US workforce. Their GenAI exposure index is 10%, meaning a minority of their core tasks overlap with current generative AI capabilities.

Risk Score

46/100

Employment

43,640

Median Wage

$39K

GenAI Exposure

10%

⚠️ Top Risk Factors

1.

Robotic bricklaying and prefabrication automation

2.

Drone-based site surveying and inspection

3.

AI project scheduling and resource optimization

4.

Autonomous heavy equipment operation

πŸ›‘οΈ Tasks AI Can't Easily Replace

βœ“

Navigating unpredictable and unstructured job sites

βœ“

Physical work in confined or elevated spaces

βœ“

Fine motor craftsmanship in custom installations

βœ“

Real-time safety judgment in hazardous conditions

πŸ”„ Career Transition Paths

Related occupations with lower AI risk and high skills overlap:

Engineers

57% skills overlap Β· $106K median wage

20/100

Extraction Workers

79% skills overlap Β· $56K median wage

29/100

Electricians

73% skills overlap Β· $62K median wage

32/100

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Will AI completely replace helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters?

Possible. Significant task automation is underway β€” workers should actively upskill.

What is the AI risk score for helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters?

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters have a composite AI automation risk score of 46 out of 100, classified as "Elevated".

How many helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are there in the US?

There are approximately 43,640 helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters employed in the United States.

What do helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn?

The median annual wage for helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is $39K.

What skills should helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters develop?

Focus on tasks AI can't easily replicate: navigating unpredictable and unstructured job sites, physical work in confined or elevated spaces, fine motor craftsmanship in custom installations, real-time safety judgment in hazardous conditions. These human-centric skills will become more valuable as routine tasks are automated.