Career Explorer Construction and trades
Human edge, growing
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Assemble, 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.
Among the most resilient careers: more resilient than 91% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +6.8% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on physical dexterity and ethical judgement.
AI struggles with much of this work, and US employers are expected to hire more people into it than average.
- Median pay (2025)
- $63,800
- Job growth to 2035
- +6.8%
- Openings a year
- 42,000
- People doing it (2025)
- 511,000
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then an apprenticeship
Where people already use AI for this work
- Maintain facilities or equipment
- Explain regulations, policies, or procedures
- Determine operational methods or procedures
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Install plumbing or piping equipment or systems
- Install energy or heating equipment
- Inspect commercial, industrial, or production systems or equipment
What the work looks like
- Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches.
- Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing.
- Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
- Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.
- Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Solar photovoltaic installersHuman edge, growing, Index 99, +36.5%
- Maintenance and repair workers, generalHuman edge, growing, Index 94, +4.2%
- Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersHuman edge, growing, Index 94, +10.9%
- RoofersHuman edge, growing, Index 94, +5.3%
Also known as: Pipefitter, Plumber, Sprinkler Fitter, Steamfitter, Installer, Solar Installer, Solar Maintenance Technician, Solar Technician.
Is this career on your child's list?
Build a free Career Playbook matched to your child, or get a 90-day Action Plan with dated next steps, written for your child by name.
Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.