As of June 2026, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters has an AI-exposure score of 38/100 (Low exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.

AI Exposure Score for

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

38/100
Low exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 8% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$63,800. About 44,000 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).

Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.

Where are you in your career? (optional — tailors the context)

How you compare to similar Construction roles

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (you)
38
Painters, Construction and Maintenance
38
Glaziers
38
Brickmasons and Blockmasons
38
Roofers
38
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
38
Know someone whose job is changing? Share your score.
Post Share Score card
Every share sends them to their own free scan.
Create a free account to follow this role and get weekly AI-safe matches.

Your tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable

No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as durable (90%).

Augmentable
  • Keep records of work assignments.
  • Direct helpers engaged in pipe cutting, preassembly, or installation of plumbing systems or components.
Durable
  • Estimate time, material, or labor costs for use in project plans.
  • Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.
  • Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing.
  • Attach pipes to walls, structures, or fixtures, such as radiators or tanks, using brackets, clamps, tools, or welding equipment.
  • Anchor steel supports from ceiling joists to hold pipes in place.
  • Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, or fixtures such as sinks or toilets, using hand or power tools.
  • Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
  • Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.
  • Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.
  • Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures.
  • Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.
  • Modify, clean, or maintain pipe systems, units, fittings, or related machines or equipment, using hand or power tools.
  • Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.
  • Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches.
  • Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
  • Install automatic controls to regulate pipe systems.
  • Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.
  • 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.

Safer adjacent roles

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
80% skills overlap · Low exposure · ~US$42,360
29
Boilermakers
72% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$76,410
43
Pipelayers
64% skills overlap · Low exposure · ~US$49,000
37
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
56% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$49,880
41
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
48% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$74,340
48
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$61,010
44
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$49,590
53
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$78,620
61

Your AI-Safe Career Report

Every task scored with what to do about it · 5–10 safer roles with salary, demand & reachability · skill-gap map · a 30/60/90-day roadmap · plus a résumé & LinkedIn rewrite · PDF.
Grounded in O*NET + the Anthropic Economic Index + BLS — personalized to your role.

Workers with AI skills earn a roughly 62% wage premium — adapting pays. — PwC Global AI Jobs Barometer, 2026

Personalize it: paste your résumé & LinkedIn (optional) — your rewrite is included in the report
Used only to generate your report. You can delete it anytime via delete my data.
Personalize my plan (optional, 20 sec — tailors your safer roles & recommendation)
14-day money-back guarantee One-time · kept forever · no subscription

Instant delivery — your personalized report is ready about a minute after checkout.

Get ahead: a rising skill on this path is Critical Thinking. Explore courses →
Some course links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.

Scan your own job

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — median pay by US state (BLS OEWS, USD)

New York: US$77,490California: US$72,830Texas: US$59,840

Median annual wage, in USD. US national: US$63,800. More states are being added.

More Construction roles

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers Solar Energy Installation Managers Boilermakers Brickmasons and Blockmasons Stonemasons Carpenters