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AI Job Risk

Occupation baseline · Research consensus

Will AI replace Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?

Lower risk

Baseline AI displacement risk for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, aggregated from 9 research sources.

What this score means

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is among the least exposed roles in Construction & Trades. Most of what the job involves still sits outside what current AI can do, even as the tools around it keep changing. At 14 out of 100 it sits close to the Construction & Trades average of 13. Across the 9 sources behind this baseline, individual estimates run from 5 to 33, so the score is a weighted consensus rather than any single figure.

The number is a consensus estimate for the typical version of the role, built from published academic and industry research scored occupation by occupation. It is not a prediction about any individual. How scoring works

What this job actually involves

Exposure follows the work itself rather than the job title, so it is worth seeing what the role is made of. These are the tasks O*NET records for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, most central first, showing 12 of 30.

  • 01Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches.
  • 02Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing.
  • 03Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
  • 04Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.
  • 05Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.
  • 06Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.
  • 07Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.
  • 08Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures.
  • 09Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
  • 10Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.
  • 11Direct helpers engaged in pipe cutting, preassembly, or installation of plumbing systems or components.
  • 12Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.

Task statements from O*NET by the National Center for O*NET Development, used under CC BY 4.0. The tasks are descriptive; the exposure score above is ours.

The research behind this score

This baseline aggregates 9 research sources that scored Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters for AI and automation exposure. More recent, higher confidence studies carry more weight in the final number.

Common questions

How likely is AI to replace Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Published research puts Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters at 14 out of 100 for AI displacement risk, in the lower risk band. The number is a weighted consensus of 9 research sources and describes the typical version of the role, not any individual.
Do researchers agree on the risk for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Only partly. Individual estimates for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters run from 5 to 33 out of 100 across the 9 sources behind this score, so the single number smooths over real disagreement. More recent and higher confidence studies carry more weight in it.
Which construction & trades roles face similar AI exposure?
The closest published construction & trades roles to Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters by score are Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas (14/100), Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining (14/100), and Hazardous Materials Removal Workers (14/100). Each has its own page with the research behind its number.

Also covers

Aircraft Hydraulic Equipment Mechanic · Aircraft Hydraulic Mechanic · Aircraft Plumbing Mechanic · Commercial Plumber · Corrosion Control Fitter · Diesel Engine Pipefitter · Drain Cleaner · Drain Technician and related titles

Estimated displacement window

The dated estimate for this role is included in the full personalised report.

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Informational guidance based on published research, not professional career or financial advice. Scores update as new research is ingested.