Will AI replace plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters?AI replacement risk 7% and how the work is changing

United States Construction Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$63,800

25th–75th pct. $50,190–$85,110

Top pay (est.)

$140,900

Top 10% $108,420

Pay in 5 years

$75,600est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$89,700est.

$77,100–$104,100

Outlook score

76/100

★★★★☆ Good

AI replacement risk

Very low

Job growth (10 yr)

+6.8%

42K openings / yr

Will AI replace Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters? AI replacement risk

Very low

Ranked #4 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations

Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Key skills

Critical Thinking

3.5

Judgment and Decision Making

3.1

Troubleshooting

3.1

Repairing

3.1

Coordination

3.0

Operations Monitoring

3.0

Complex Problem Solving

2.9

Operation and Control

2.9

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Building and Construction

5.4

Design

5.0

Mechanical

4.9

Customer and Personal Service

4.2

Physics

4.0

Administration and Management

4.0

Engineering and Technology

4.0

Mathematics

3.8

What the work involves

Handling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Important abilities

VisualizationProblem SensitivityOral ExpressionExtent FlexibilityDeductive ReasoningInductive Reasoning

Education of workers

Post-secondary certificate

43%

High school diploma

35%

Associate's degree

Less than high school

Some college

Training before entry

4–10 years

33%

2–4 years

15%

None / short demo

14%

1–2 years

11%

Over 10 years

11%

Up to 1 month

1–3 months

3–6 months

Related work experience

4–6 years

57%

None

19%

6–12 months

11%

Over 10 years

2–4 years

Up to 1 month

Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Construction Laborers Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites.	$47,120	67/100	8%
2	First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.	$79,920	71/100	16%
3	Electricians Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.	$63,190	78/100	7%
4	Carpenters Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors.	$60,580	67/100	9%
5	Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement.	$59,850	58/100	15%
6	Painters, Construction and Maintenance Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns.	$49,400	66/100	9%

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.