Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Also called: Pipefitter, Plumber, Sprinkler Fitter, SteamfitterAssemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 3 of its 30 tasks, and jobs are projected to grow 6.8% by 2035. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
BLS figures cover the broader occupation “Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters”, which includes this one and others.
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 3.8% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 12.8 hires for every 10 job openings in construction, which employs about 83% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.12.8 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $58,670 | $47,070 to $64,730 | 6,950 |
| Alaska | $93,920 | $73,640 to $102,820 | 1,200 |
| Arizona | $62,070 | $49,590 to $79,610 | 11,810 |
| Arkansas | $48,660 | $39,150 to $60,580 | 3,370 |
| California | $72,830 | $58,980 to $100,200 | 47,660 |
| Colorado | $63,240 | $52,370 to $78,740 | 10,080 |
| Connecticut | $77,280 | $57,570 to $94,440 | 5,410 |
| Delaware | $64,720 | $51,860 to $77,830 | 1,590 |
| District of Columbia | $101,020 | $74,630 to $114,400 | 1,010 |
| Florida | $52,910 | $47,220 to $62,820 | 29,260 |
| Georgia | $57,200 | $45,130 to $68,640 | 8,930 |
| Guam | $36,470 | $36,470 to $38,080 | 320 |
| Hawaii | $78,060 | $61,570 to $97,950 | 2,500 |
| Idaho | $52,380 | $46,200 to $69,640 | 3,090 |
| Illinois | $99,950 | $72,070 to $120,050 | 16,750 |
| Indiana | $76,320 | $58,010 to $96,760 | 11,280 |
| Iowa | $63,890 | $51,890 to $85,320 | 5,730 |
| Kansas | $65,220 | $49,230 to $84,870 | 4,590 |
| Kentucky | $64,160 | $50,000 to $84,840 | 6,360 |
| Louisiana | $63,680 | $50,750 to $74,870 | 8,360 |
| Maine | $64,000 | $61,300 to $75,720 | 2,710 |
| Maryland | $65,400 | $54,780 to $94,890 | 11,420 |
| Massachusetts | $93,880 | $61,860 to $108,430 | 13,460 |
| Michigan | $80,190 | $58,090 to $95,390 | 14,120 |
| Minnesota | $94,410 | $61,150 to $108,750 | 10,720 |
| Mississippi | $55,480 | $41,010 to $63,040 | 3,360 |
| Missouri | $66,790 | $50,640 to $100,240 | 8,310 |
| Montana | $79,960 | $60,990 to $94,370 | 1,860 |
| Nebraska | $60,970 | $48,280 to $81,900 | 4,110 |
| Nevada | $61,610 | $48,540 to $89,550 | 5,370 |
| New Hampshire | $66,810 | $52,610 to $77,080 | 1,950 |
| New Jersey | $78,240 | $61,810 to $106,830 | 8,750 |
| New Mexico | $61,440 | $45,190 to $78,210 | 2,830 |
| New York | $77,490 | $59,960 to $101,230 | 23,210 |
| North Carolina | $57,080 | $46,550 to $63,290 | 14,510 |
| North Dakota | $63,560 | $49,760 to $76,860 | 1,620 |
| Ohio | $63,330 | $50,040 to $84,260 | 16,390 |
| Oklahoma | $57,970 | $45,300 to $74,240 | 6,050 |
| Oregon | $97,050 | $74,920 to $126,400 | 5,370 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,080 | $57,880 to $91,820 | 13,620 |
| Puerto Rico | $31,620 | $29,000 to $36,990 | 940 |
| Rhode Island | $76,470 | $58,740 to $107,350 | 1,820 |
| South Carolina | $53,940 | $46,400 to $64,000 | 5,770 |
| South Dakota | $51,620 | $46,140 to $62,050 | 1,760 |
| Tennessee | $58,600 | $47,260 to $73,460 | 9,270 |
| Texas | $59,840 | $47,380 to $74,100 | 44,090 |
| Utah | $61,900 | $49,120 to $77,440 | 7,030 |
| Vermont | $62,170 | $56,140 to $82,240 | 980 |
| Virgin Islands | $49,630 | $35,890 to $70,200 | 50 |
| Virginia | $60,470 | $49,350 to $71,780 | 13,780 |
| Washington | $81,030 | $60,030 to $107,420 | 12,470 |
| West Virginia | $56,980 | $44,020 to $73,700 | 1,830 |
| Wisconsin | $81,210 | $61,430 to $103,560 | 10,210 |
| Wyoming | $62,410 | $48,370 to $72,800 | 1,140 |
Nationally: $63,800. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 3 of its 30 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Not much | Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment. | Not published |
| Not much | Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels. | Not published |
| Not much | Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders. | Not published |
| Not much | Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures. | Not published |
| Not much | Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing. | Not published |
| Not much | Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks. | Not published |
See all 30 tasks
| Not much | Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, or fixtures such as sinks or toilets, using hand or power tools. | Not published |
| Not much | Direct helpers engaged in pipe cutting, preassembly, or installation of plumbing systems or components. | Not published |
| Not much | Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications. | Not published |
| Not much | Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches. | Not published |
| Not much | Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications. | Not published |
| Not much | Anchor steel supports from ceiling joists to hold pipes in place. | Not published |
| Not much | 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. | Not published |
| Not much | Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes or pipe fittings, using hand or power tools. | Not published |
| Not much | Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods. | Not published |
| Not much | Maintain or repair plumbing by replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes, or opening clogged drains. | Not published |
| AI + software | Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints. | Not published |
| AI + software | Keep records of work assignments. | Not published |
| Not much | Repair or remove and replace system components. | Not published |
| Not much | Attach pipes to walls, structures, or fixtures, such as radiators or tanks, using brackets, clamps, tools, or welding equipment. | Not published |
| AI + software | Estimate time, material, or labor costs for use in project plans. | Not published |
| Not much | Install green plumbing equipment, such as faucet flow restrictors, dual-flush or pressure-assisted flush toilets, or tankless hot water heaters. | Not published |
| Not much | Modify, clean, or maintain pipe systems, units, fittings, or related machines or equipment, using hand or power tools. | Not published |
| Not much | Install automatic controls to regulate pipe systems. | Not published |
| Not much | Install pipe systems to support alternative energy-fueled systems, such as geothermal heating or cooling systems. | Not published |
| Not much | Install fixtures, appliances, or equipment designed to reduce water or energy consumption. | Not published |
| Not much | Operate motorized pumps to remove water from flooded manholes, basements, or facility floors. | Not published |
| Not much | Weld small pipes or special piping, using specialized techniques, equipment, or materials, such as computer-assisted welding or microchip fabrication. | Not published |
| Not much | Inspect work sites for obstructions or holes that could cause structural weakness. | Not published |
| Not much | Repair hydraulic or air pumps. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 0 of the 30 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 30 tasks fall under 22 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #8 Read documents or materials to inform work processes
- #14 Create visual designs or displays
- #38 Select materials or equipment for operations or projects
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install plumbing or piping equipment or systems | |||
| Maintain facilities or equipment | |||
| Join parts using soldering, welding, or brazing techniques | |||
| Cut materials | |||
| Inspect facilities or equipment | |||
| Repair tools or equipment | |||
| Inspect commercial, industrial, or production systems or equipment | |||
| Read documents or materials to inform work processes |
Show all 22 activities
| Create visual designs or displays | |||
| Select materials or equipment for operations or projects | |||
| Plan work activities | |||
| Determine resource needs of projects or operations | |||
| Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment | |||
| Estimate project development or operational costs | |||
| Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areas | |||
| Maintain operational records | |||
| Disassemble equipment | |||
| Assemble equipment or components | |||
| Position materials or components for assembly | |||
| Fabricate devices or components | |||
| Operate pumping systems or equipment | |||
| Direct construction or extraction activities |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- Advice or a recommendation32%
- An explanation or answer26%
- Data or a spreadsheet9%
- A plan or strategy9%
- A document or report6%
How they worked with Claude
34% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 15,272 moves out
- 1 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 7%
- 2 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Low +2.4% 5%
- 3 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 4 First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers Moderate +5.0% 4%
- 5 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Low +4.2% 4%
Where people moved in from
of 11,505 moves in
- 1 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Low +2.4% 6%
- 2 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 5%
- 3 First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers Moderate +5.0% 4%
- 4 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Low +1.8% 3%
- 5 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 3%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 8% less than high school
- 35% high school
- 43% postsecondary certificate
- 5% some college
- 9% associate's
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 38 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 14% less than high school
- 48% high school
- 23% some college
- 9% associate's
- 5% bachelor's
- 1% master's
Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 5,945 people surveyed.
Why the two can differ
O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation
3 programs: Pipefitting/Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter, Plumbing Technology/Plumber and Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services, Other.
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
75.0% this occupation
45.3% all occupations
| By kind | This occupation | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| a license | 38.3% | 19.1% |
| a certification | 22.3% | 5.8% |
| an educational certificate | not published |
Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 17 registered apprenticeships in this occupation. Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS
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