Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters job outlookprojected pay in 10 years $58,300 · outlook score 54/100 · BLS employment projections

United States Construction Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$42,360
25th–75th pct. $36,940–$47,720
Top pay (est.)
$75,100
Top 10% $57,780
Pay in 5 years
$49,700est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$58,300est.
$50,100–$67,700
Outlook score
54/100
★★★☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
7%
Very low
Job growth (10 yr)
+2.4%
4,400 openings / yr

Projected pay for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (3, 5 and 10 years)est.

Today $42,360 → in 3 years $46,600 → in 5 years $49,700 → in 10 years $58,300 (10-year range $50,100–$67,700). The model assumes pay growth of +3.2% per year.

$42,360
Now
2026
$46,600
In 3 yrs
2029
$43,000–$50,700
$49,700
In 5 yrs
2031
$44,800–$55,300
$58,300
In 10 yrs
2036
$50,100–$67,700

What drives the annual growth rate

Base wage growth +3.0%Labor demand -0.08%AI impact +0.32%Total +3.2% / yr

Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →

Outlook score for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

54/100
★★★☆☆
Average · ranked #410 of all U.S. occupations
Pay level
15 pts
AI resistance
93 pts
Entry barrier
31 pts
Annual openings
60 pts
Projected growth
46 pts

Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.

Labor demand for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Employment
44K
BLS OEWS
Projected employment
46K
2025–35
Projected change
+2.4%
ranked #440 for growth
Annual openings
4,400
growth + replacement needs
Demand score
Average
51/100
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience
None
in a related occupation
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training

Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.