Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
The short answer
This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 351 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.
Almost none of this job's tasks are the kind AI can help with or automate.
Tasks AI can't do much of
Measure, cut, thread and assemble new pipe, placing the assembled pipe in hangers or other supports.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Cut or drill holes in walls or floors to accommodate the passage of pipes.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Perform rough-ins, repair and replace fixtures and water heaters, and locate, repair, or remove leaking or broken pipes.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Assist pipe fitters in the layout, assembly, and installation of piping for air, ammonia, gas, and water systems.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Install gas burners to convert furnaces from wood, coal, or oil.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Very similar work+49% pay3,557 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 49% more—$79,594 vs your $53,409 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Extent Flexibility
New skills to build
- Installation
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Physics
- Computers and Electronics
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
Very similar work+6% pay208 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 6% more—$56,717 vs your $53,409 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Manual Dexterity
- Oral Comprehension
- Trunk Strength
New skills to build
- Operation and Control
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Operations Monitoring
- Transportation
- Reaction Time
Pipelayers
Very similar work+35% pay26 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 35% more—$72,282 vs your $53,409 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Oral Comprehension
- Mechanical
- Static Strength
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
New skills to build
- Rate Control
- Psychology
- Installation
Construction Laborers
Very similar work+8% pay6,031 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 8% more—$57,446 vs your $53,409 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Manual Dexterity
- Trunk Strength
- Oral Comprehension
- Mechanical
New skills to build
- Rate Control
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
Very similar work+19% pay74 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 19% more—$63,700 vs your $53,409 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
- Extent Flexibility
- Trunk Strength
- Static Strength
New skills to build
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Rate Control
Sheet Metal Workers
Similar work+42% pay471 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 42% more—$75,758 vs your $53,409 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Manual Dexterity
- Static Strength
New skills to build
- Computers and Electronics
- Rate Control
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Perceptual Speed
- Flexibility of Closure
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
Similar work+18% pay277 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 18% more—$62,936 vs your $53,409 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Extent Flexibility
- Mathematics
- Manual Dexterity
- Mechanical
New skills to build
- Gross Body Equilibrium
Helpers--Electricians
Similar workslightly less pay398 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$48,491 vs your $53,409 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Extent Flexibility
New skills to build
- Public Safety and Security
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Physics
- Telecommunications
- Computers and Electronics
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Somewhat similar work+78% pay240 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 78% more—$95,116 vs your $53,409 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Extent Flexibility
- Manual Dexterity
New skills to build
- Rate Control
- Static Strength
- Gross Body Equilibrium
- Far Vision
- Reaction Time
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
Somewhat similar work+14% pay153 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 14% more—$60,702 vs your $53,409 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Extent Flexibility
- Building and Construction
- Manual Dexterity
- Trunk Strength
- Multilimb Coordination
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Millwrights
Somewhat similar work+53% pay81 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 53% more—$81,814 vs your $53,409 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Extent Flexibility
- Manual Dexterity
New skills to build
- Equipment Maintenance
- Installation
- Operations Monitoring
- Physics
- Engineering and Technology