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Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Career Profile
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.
What Tasks Do Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Take On?
The day-to-day responsibilities of helpers–pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters include:
- Measure, cut, thread and assemble new pipe, placing the assembled pipe in hangers or other supports.
- Cut or drill holes in walls or floors to accommodate the passage of pipes.
- Perform rough-ins, repair and replace fixtures and water heaters, and locate, repair, or remove leaking or broken pipes.
- Assist pipe fitters in the layout, assembly, and installation of piping for air, ammonia, gas, and water systems.
- Cut pipe and lift up to fitters.
- Fit or assist in fitting valves, couplings, or assemblies to tanks, pumps, or systems, using hand tools.
- Requisition tools and equipment, select type and size of pipe, and collect and transport materials and equipment to work site.
- Mount brackets and hangers on walls and ceilings to hold pipes, and set sleeves or inserts to provide support for pipes.
What Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Need to Know
Successful helpers–pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The competencies most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Other Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Conduit Helper
- Gas Main Fitter Helper
- Hydraulic Plumber Helper
- Industrial Gas Fitter Helper
- Journeyman Plumber
- Marine Pipefitter Helper
- Marine Steam Fitter Helper
- Pipe Coverer Helper
Job Outlook
There are roughly 628,519 helpers–pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +6.1% over the projection horizon.
Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $84,894 |
| Hourly median | $40.81 |
| 10th percentile | $57,777 |
| 25th percentile | $71,336 |
| 75th percentile | $98,453 |
| 90th percentile | $112,011 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $58,240 |
| Hawaii | $55,670 |
| Alaska | $54,360 |
| North Dakota | $51,540 |
| California | $49,970 |
| Massachusetts | $48,560 |
| Michigan | $47,010 |
| Missouri | $46,800 |
| Maine | $46,750 |
| New Hampshire | $45,700 |
| Colorado | $45,490 |
| Utah | $44,810 |
| Montana | $44,670 |
| District of Columbia | $44,300 |
| New York | $43,540 |
| Nebraska | $43,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,810 |
| Oregon | $42,740 |
| Tennessee | $42,470 |
| Arizona | $41,790 |
| New Jersey | $41,570 |
| Illinois | $41,050 |
| Oklahoma | $39,560 |
| Ohio | $39,360 |
| Florida | $39,130 |
| Wisconsin | $38,770 |
| Virginia | $38,750 |
| Alabama | $38,480 |
| Idaho | $38,470 |
| Wyoming | $38,470 |
| Texas | $38,310 |
| South Carolina | $38,140 |
| Maryland | $38,130 |
| Mississippi | $37,960 |
| North Carolina | $37,680 |
| Connecticut | $37,470 |
| Georgia | $37,450 |
| Kentucky | $37,440 |
| Iowa | $37,320 |
| Arkansas | $37,220 |
| New Mexico | $37,080 |
| Kansas | $36,950 |
| Delaware | $36,800 |
| South Dakota | $36,280 |
| Indiana | $36,220 |
| Louisiana | $36,110 |
| Nevada | $35,520 |
| West Virginia | $33,280 |
| Guam | $28,080 |
| Puerto Rico | $21,890 |
Where Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Earn the Most
Earnings for helpers–pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters vary by region. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $49,591 | 9.1% | 0.60 |
| New England | $46,437 | 1.1% | 1.51 |
| Rocky Mountains | $42,544 | 1.1% | 0.53 |
| Middle Atlantic | $42,309 | 13.1% | 1.10 |
| Great Lakes | $39,550 | 4.5% | 0.51 |
| Southwest | $38,651 | 21.9% | 1.76 |
| Southeast | $38,213 | 45.5% | 2.08 |
| Plains States | $37,575 | 2.5% | 1.22 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $64,100 | 420 |
| Visalia, CA | CA | $61,360 | 40 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $60,960 | 160 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | CA | $60,950 | 100 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $58,180 | 270 |
| Modesto, CA | CA | $54,600 | 50 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | CA | $52,770 | |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | WA | $50,640 | 100 |
Top Industries Employing Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
The bulk of helpers–pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 41,970 | $39,130 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 600 | $42,750 |
| Manufacturing | 210 | $39,130 |
| Utilities | 140 | $46,250 |
| Educational Services | 60 | $41,190 |
Below are examples of industries where helpers–pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work:
Software Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Use
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The on-the-job environment of helpers–pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
- Spend Time Standing
Getting Started in This Career
Typical helpers–pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Boilermakers (Primary-Long)
- Carpenters (Supplemental)
- Construction Laborers (Supplemental)
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (Supplemental)
- Electricians (Supplemental)
- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (Supplemental)
- Pipelayers (Primary-Long)
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (Primary-Short)
References
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 47-3015.00 (Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters).
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