# 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.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 47-3015.00
- **Summary:** 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.

## Aliases

- Plumber's Helper
- Conduit Helper
- Gas Main Fitter Helper
- Hydraulic Plumber Helper
- Industrial Gas Fitter Helper
- Journeyman Plumber
- Marine Pipefitter Helper
- Marine Steam Fitter Helper
- Pipe Coverer Helper
- Pipe Fitter Helper
- Plumber Apprentice
- Plumber Assistant

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Measure, cut, thread and assemble new pipe, placing the assembled pipe in hangers or other supports. | Core | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Cut or drill holes in walls or floors to accommodate the passage of pipes. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.l |
| Perform rough-ins, repair and replace fixtures and water heaters, and locate, repair, or remove leaking or broken pipes. | Core | 4.A.3.b.4.a |
| Assist pipe fitters in the layout, assembly, and installation of piping for air, ammonia, gas, and water systems. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Install gas burners to convert furnaces from wood, coal, or oil. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.d |
| Cut pipe and lift up to fitters. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.j |
| Fit or assist in fitting valves, couplings, or assemblies to tanks, pumps, or systems, using hand tools. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Requisition tools and equipment, select type and size of pipe, and collect and transport materials and equipment to work site. | Core | 4.A.2.b.1.j |
| Mount brackets and hangers on walls and ceilings to hold pipes, and set sleeves or inserts to provide support for pipes. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.aq |
| Excavate and grade ditches, and lay and join pipe for water and sewer service. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Fill pipes with sand or resin to prevent distortion, and hold pipes during bending and installation. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Disassemble and remove damaged or worn pipe. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.e |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Maintain plumbing structures or fixtures. | 4.A.3.b.4.a |
| Cut openings in existing structures. | 4.A.3.a.2.l |
| Drill holes in construction materials. | 4.A.3.a.2.ad |
| Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Cut metal components for installation. | 4.A.3.a.2.l |
| Install plumbing or piping. | 4.A.3.a.2.aq |
| Select construction materials. | 4.A.2.b.1.j |
| Move construction or extraction materials to locations where they are needed. | 4.A.3.a.1.j |
| Order construction or extraction materials or equipment. | 4.A.4.c.3.e |
| Assist skilled construction or extraction personnel. | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Install building fixtures. | 4.A.3.a.2.a |
| Dig holes or trenches. | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Remove worn, damaged or outdated materials from work areas. | 4.A.3.a.1.e |
| Clean equipment or facilities. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Assemble products or production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.d |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Building and Construction | knowledge | 4.46 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.75 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 3.67 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 3.64 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 3.5 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.38 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3.38 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.28 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.25 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.25 |
| Trunk Strength | ability | 3.25 |
| Extent Flexibility | ability | 3.25 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.25 |
| Administration and Management | knowledge | 3.13 |
| Visualization | ability | 3.12 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3 |
| Static Strength | ability | 3 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3 |
| Design | knowledge | 2.92 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 2.88 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 2.88 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 2.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 2.88 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 2.88 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 2.88 |
| Engineering and Technology | knowledge | 2.87 |
| Education and Training | knowledge | 2.81 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 2.81 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 2.75 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 2.75 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 2.75 |
| Stamina | ability | 2.75 |
| Depth Perception | ability | 2.75 |
| Transportation | knowledge | 2.72 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 2.62 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 2.62 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.64 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 4.48 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.45 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 4.35 |
| Spend Time Standing | 4.24 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.22 |
| Contact With Others | 4.14 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 4.11 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 4.02 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 3.92 |
| Time Pressure | 3.84 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 3.8 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.78 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 3.74 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 3.73 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.69 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.61 |
| Telephone Conversations | 3.58 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 3.57 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 3.54 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 3.52 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.47 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.41 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 3.39 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.37 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.36 |
| Outdoors, Under Cover | 3.36 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 3.2 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 3.14 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.06 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 3.04 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 3 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 2.99 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | 2.78 |
| Exposed to High Places | 2.78 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 2.78 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 2.67 |
| Level of Competition | 2.67 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 26.83 |
| Master's Degree | 9.69 |
| Some College Courses | 9.18 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 5.6 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 6.96 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 6.22 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 3.66 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 3.07 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 2.5 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 2.5 |
| Dependability | work_style | 2.14 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 1.86 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 1.86 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 1.8 |
| Cooperation | work_style | 1.7 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 1.53 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 1.41 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 1.37 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 1.25 |
| Nature/Outdoors | specific_interest_area | 1.22 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 47-2152.00 | role-47-2152-00 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Primary-Short |
| 49-9098.00 | role-49-9098-00 | Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers | Primary-Short |
| 47-3013.00 | role-47-3013-00 | Helpers--Electricians | Primary-Short |
| 47-3012.00 | role-47-3012-00 | Helpers--Carpenters | Primary-Short |
| 47-3014.00 | role-47-3014-00 | Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons | Primary-Short |
| 47-3011.00 | role-47-3011-00 | Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters | Primary-Long |
| 47-2011.00 | role-47-2011-00 | Boilermakers | Primary-Long |
| 47-2151.00 | role-47-2151-00 | Pipelayers | Primary-Long |
| 47-5081.00 | role-47-5081-00 | Helpers--Extraction Workers | Primary-Long |
| 47-3016.00 | role-47-3016-00 | Helpers--Roofers | Primary-Long |
| 47-4071.00 | role-47-4071-00 | Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | Supplemental |
| 49-9071.00 | role-49-9071-00 | Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Construction | construction |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs


## Market

- **Median Wage:** 39270
- **Mean Wage:** 41720
- **Pct10Wage:** 31050
- **Pct25Wage:** 35750
- **Pct75Wage:** 46550
- **Pct90Wage:** 54860
- **Employment:** 43640
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 41970 | 39130 | 18.26 |
| 238220 | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | National industry | 37340 | 39090 | 104.17 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 600 | 42750 | 0.23 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 280 | 46930 | 0.37 |
| 238210 | 238210 | Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | National industry | 260 | 39690 | 0.86 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 210 | 39130 | 0.06 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 140 | 46250 | 0.85 |
| 238290 | 238290 | Other Building Equipment Contractors | National industry | 70 | 47020 |  |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 60 | 41190 |  |
| 21 | 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | Sector |  | 43500 |  |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector |  | 44040 |  |
| 53 | 53 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | Sector |  | 39560 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 238220 | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | National industry | 37340 | 104.17 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 41970 | 18.26 |
| 238210 | 238210 | Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | National industry | 260 | 0.86 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 140 | 0.85 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 280 | 0.37 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 600 | 0.23 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 210 | 0.06 |
- **Count:** 15

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.57 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -1.678876 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -1.70948 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -1.461957 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 7
- **Percentile:** 4
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 4 | felten_aioe |
| 3 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 14 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -1.678876 | 4 | Low | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0 | 3 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.06030237351810518 | 14 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.57
- **Percentile:** 49
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0
- **Beta:** 0
- **Gamma:** 0

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 4.9
- **Growth Percentile:** 73
- **Direction:** About average
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 4.9
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 48
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 45.3
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 47.5

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 15
- **Skills:** 33
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 3
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** b32eec7f4fb79541