Construction and extraction
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.
Median pay
$42,360
Growth to 2035
+2%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
4,400
Time to qualify*
1 month
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters: 27% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Fit or assist in fitting valves, couplings, or assemblies to tanks, pumps, or systems, using hand tools.
- Mount brackets and hangers on walls and ceilings to hold pipes, and set sleeves or inserts to provide support for pipes.
- Perform rough-ins, repair and replace fixtures and water heaters, and locate, repair, or remove leaking or broken pipes.
- Cut pipe and lift up to fitters.
- Measure, cut, thread and assemble new pipe, placing the assembled pipe in hangers or other supports.
- Assist pipe fitters in the layout, assembly, and installation of piping for air, ammonia, gas, and water systems.
- Requisition tools and equipment, select type and size of pipe, and collect and transport materials and equipment to work site.
- Disassemble and remove damaged or worn pipe.
Also called: Pipefitter Helper · Plumber Apprentice · Plumber Assistant · Plumber Helper · Plumbing Apprentice · Plumbing Helper · Plumbing Residential Apprentice
Outlook and AI
Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters held 45,300 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 46,400 by 2035 (+2%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Occupational substitution - share decreases as construction laborers are increasingly assigned helpers tasks because they can support various trades, including pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
Compare with
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- Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters vs. Boilermaker
- Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters vs. Pipelayer
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