Helpers, Construction Trades

How to become a Helpers--Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter or Steamfitter

Official title: Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Also called: Pipefitter Helper, Plumber Apprentice, Plumber Assistant, Plumber Helper, Plumbing Apprentice, Plumbing Helper, Plumbing Residential Apprentice

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.

Main 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.

How to become one

Construction laborers and helpers learn on the job. Although formal education is not typically required, some employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a high school diploma or the equivalent.

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $42,360 a year The middle half earn $36,940 to $47,720.
About 45,300 people work in this job now, and about 46,400 are projected by 2035. (+2.4%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Helpers--Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter or Steamfitter?

Construction laborers and helpers learn on the job. Although formal education is not typically required, some employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a high school diploma or the equivalent.

How much does a Helpers--Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter or Steamfitter earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $42,360 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $36,940 to $47,720.

Is a Helpers--Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter or Steamfitter a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 2% by 2035, from about 45,300 to about 46,400 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Helpers--Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter or Steamfitter?

Usually not. Only 7% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Helpers--Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter or Steamfitter?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.