Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Workplace and environment | Mainly construction projects, building interiors and outdoor pipe trenches; frequent work in cramped spaces, at height, in pipe shafts and above suspended ceilings (O*NET work context and tasks; same coverage below). Protection and exposure | Common exposure to hazardous equipment (81% daily) and contaminants (75% daily); common machinery, cutting and threading noise; vibration from cutting, threading and handheld tools. Physical demands and posture | Prolonged standing and standing more than half the time (62% more than half the time); frequent work in cramped spaces, at height, in pipe shafts and above suspended ceilings; relatively close physical proximity (27% very close, 37% at arm's length). Communication and collaboration | Close collaboration with plumbers and crews; common face-to-face discussions. Accuracy and responsibility | High accuracy and coordination requirements (30% extremely important, 63% very important); serious consequences of error (13% extremely serious, 27% very serious, 35% fairly serious); some responsibility for others' health and safety (27% limited responsibility). Progress and pace | Constrained by project schedules and sequencing; sequencing and deadlines create time pressure; pace is determined by skilled workers and process progress. Equipment and tools | Cutting, threading, welding and handheld tools, trench supports and brackets. Scheduling and site | Mostly regular schedules (80% regular, 20% irregular); mainly teamwork. The 80% / 20% categories do not establish weather, production or contract periods as causes of scheduling. Digital tools | Software information lists only Office, Excel and Word; it does not establish infrequent communication, widespread project system use or AI adoption.

Records and collaboration | Starting with the work order, piping drawings and materials list, first check location and drawing number; pipe, fitting and valve specifications; measurement, cutting, threading and joining methods; brackets, hangers and sleeves; trenches, supports and sloping; welding, cutting and hot work; pressure testing and flushing; and post-work cleaning and restoration. Then assist according to skilled workers' instructions and sequencing requirements and hand over by shift. Trenches, supports, welding, cutting, hot work, heights, open edges, pipe shafts and pressure work must follow qualification requirements and procedures, with traceable materials, work and pressure-test records retained.

BLS wage coverage presented by O*NET | This page covers O*NET/SOC 47-3015.00, Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. O*NET's 47-3015.00 page presents 2025 U.S. median wages of USD 20.36 per hour / USD 42,360 per year (2025, BLS OEWS, data for this occupation itself, 47-3015.00). The 10th percentile is USD 16.15 per hour and USD 33,590 per year; the 25th is USD 17.76 per hour and USD 36,940 per year; the 75th is USD 22.94 per hour and USD 47,720 per year; and the 90th is USD 27.78 per hour and USD 57,780 per year. All come from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS 2025, as presented by O*NET). The page does not mark them as coming from a broader or neighboring occupation, so they are presented as data for this occupation itself (47-3015.00). They include production bonuses and exclude overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefit costs; the median is not an entry-level starting wage. Insufficient evidence: the Chinese sources checked did not provide a national occupational wage distribution precisely matching piping helpers under 47-3015.00. Searches for plumbers, plumbing and heating workers and independent installers are related searches only; industry, recruitment and U.S. figures are not used as substitutes. National percentiles are not fixed seniority bands, equity-inclusive total compensation or certification wage returns. See the U.S. pay module and source gaps for treatment of extended percentiles.

Check work order and piping drawings → Prepare, select and transport materials → Confirm trenches, supports and sloping → Measure, cut and thread → Join, assemble and install supports → Pressure-test, flush, restore, record and hand over

Sources checked in this round did not provide a precise national occupational wage distribution for piping helpers in China. NBS industry annual averages cover multiple occupations in employing units and include tax; they do not substitute for this occupation's median, monthly pay or take-home pay. The U.S. occupational code is not a statutory one-to-one mapping in China.

Safety and compliance | In China, check the actual jurisdiction and work: Ministry of Emergency Management Order No. 19 and Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Order No. 60 both take effect on 2026-06-01. Articles 2—4 of Order No. 19 apply to people directly performing listed specialized work, requiring dedicated training, assessment and the relevant certificate; other statutory provisions take precedence where applicable. Articles 2—3 of Order No. 60 apply to relevant specialized construction work on building and municipal projects and require the corresponding qualification certificate. A helper title does not imply that everyone needs welding / height certificates. Distinguish certificates, site task permits and pressure-pipeline inspection authority. Handle technical information according to actual lawful purposes and access rights. P01 provides no actual construction, trench, welding or pressure-testing steps.

U.S. employment in the exact occupation 47-3015.00 is 45,300 in 2025. The overall 2025—2035 projection is Slower (1% to 2%), with 4,400 average annual openings including growth and replacements. These are not net additions, current vacancies or evidence of AI causation; the replacement share has not been checked.

Receive assignment and check piping drawings → Prepare, select and transport materials → Confirm trenches and supports → Measure, cut and thread → Join, assemble and install supports → Pressure-test, flush, restore and record

Perform actual tasks according to training and duties; job titles do not automatically mean specialized work. Check qualifications for specific listed work under Order No. 19 and relevant building and municipal construction work within Order No. 60's scope. Enterprise authorization, personnel certificates and site permits differ. Ordinary tool and material work should not be broadly described as requiring a uniform certificate; check acceptance and release authority separately.

Records and collaboration | Follow enterprise construction, quality and safety management procedures to record work orders; materials, specifications and quantities; measurement, cutting and threading; joining, assembly, brackets and hangers; trenches, supports and sloping; pressure testing, flushing and restoration; abnormalities, rework, outstanding items, shift handovers, original records and revision trails. Verify locations and pipe sections with skilled workers, crews, materials personnel and safety personnel; promptly isolate and report abnormalities.

Boundary conclusion | This page covers O*NET 47-3015.00, Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. Its central distinction from neighboring roles is work objects, outputs and authorization levels. It deals with pipes, fittings, valves, trenches and on-site assistance, producing assistance completed according to drawings and procedures—materials, measurement, cutting, threading, joining, supports and cleaning—and traceable materials and work records. Workers use piping, tool and site coordination skills within skilled workers' instructions and job authorization, taking responsibility for work safety, process quality and site order. Plumbers, pipelayers, boilermakers, carpenter helpers and construction laborers produce work in their own specialties, with different responsibility and authorization levels.

Core principle of neighboring roles | Most related and neighboring roles aim to complete piping, boiler, carpentry or general construction work to specified quality within drawing, procedural and safety requirements, with records retained. Differences concern work objects, outputs and authorization levels: some focus on independent pipe installation, laying or boiler fabrication, while others focus on on-site assistance, materials and cleaning.

Core purpose of this occupation | Work with pipes, fittings, valves, trenches, drawings and procedures within skilled workers' instructions, safety requirements and authorization: materials, selection and transport; measurement, cutting and threading; joining and assembly; brackets, hangers and positioning; and pressure testing, flushing, cleaning and records. Outputs are assistance meeting procedures and traceable records.

Main work objects and bases of neighboring roles | Plumbers follow water supply, drainage, HVAC and pressure-piping procedures; pipelayers follow outdoor piping and trench procedures; boilermakers follow boiler and pressure-vessel procedures; carpenter helpers follow carpentry and formwork procedures; construction laborers follow general construction and operating procedures. Most focus on independent piping, boiler, carpentry or general construction work, unlike this occupation's on-site piping assistance.

Main work objects and bases of this occupation | Work with location, drawing numbers and pipe section identifiers; pipe, fitting and valve specifications; measurement, cutting, threading and joining methods; brackets, hangers and sleeves; trenches, supports and sloping; welding, cutting and hot work; and pressure testing, flushing and restoration requirements. Provide assistance and make judgments according to drawings, procedures, current standards, and construction safety, specialized work and occupational health requirements.

Occupational profile | This page's Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is the exact O*NET occupation 47-3015.00. Workers provide on-site assistance with materials, measurement, cutting, joining, supports and cleaning in piping crews on building construction, municipal works, industrial installation and equipment maintenance projects. Work mainly involves physical site work and assistance with pipes and tools, together with handling, cutting, threading, cleaning, records and collaboration. Workers commonly encounter dust, contaminants, noise, outdoor conditions, heights and cramped spaces, with work organized around project sequencing and schedules.

Core processes of neighboring roles | Plumbers focus on piping installation, maintenance and pressure testing; pipelayers on outdoor pipe laying and joints; boilermakers on boiler and pressure-vessel fabrication; carpenter helpers on assistance with cutting and positioning woodwork; this occupation on assistance with measurement, cutting, threading, joining, supports and cleaning.

Core process of this occupation | Receive assignments and check piping drawings; prepare, select and transport materials; confirm trenches, supports and sloping; measure, cut and thread; join, assemble and install supports; and pressure-test, flush, restore, record and hand over. Every step must follow drawings, procedures and skilled workers' instructions and be open to review by skilled workers, quality inspectors and safety personnel.

Main outputs of neighboring roles | Plumbers produce piping systems, pressure-test and acceptance records; pipelayers produce outdoor pipes, joints and acceptance records; boilermakers produce boilers, pressure vessels and installation records; carpenter helpers produce carpentry assistance and records. These differ from this occupation's assistance and materials and work records.

Main outputs of this occupation | Assistance completed according to drawings and procedures: selected and transported pipes and fittings; measured, cut and threaded pipe sections; joined and assembled pipes; installed brackets, hangers and sleeves; and pressure-tested, flushed and cleaned locations. Outputs also include materials, work and pressure-test records; quantities, leftover materials and rework records; abnormalities and outstanding items; and traceable shift and handover records.

Responsibility in neighboring roles | Responsibility in related and neighboring roles is usually defined by the employer and construction, safety and quality systems, primarily concerning piping system safety, personal safety, schedules and environmental protection.

Workers in this occupation are responsible for their own measurement, cutting, threading, joining, supports, cleaning and records, and assistance completed according to drawings, procedures and safety requirements. Trenches and supports, welding, cutting and hot work, pressure pipelines, heights and open edges, and major quality and safety matters must be referred to appropriate roles or organizations according to qualifications, job authorization and established procedures.

Authority and approvals in neighboring roles | Authority in related and neighboring roles comes from enterprise authorization and construction, safety and professional standards. It usually excludes independent decisions on pipeline design, system changes or pressure-pipeline handling. Design changes, trench acceptance, specialized work and major rework should be referred to appropriate roles or organizations.

Authority and approvals | Helpers may perform installation, repairs, measurement and joining tasks; check actual training and permitted duties against the specific equipment and site. In China, check the actual jurisdiction and work: Ministry of Emergency Management Order No. 19 and Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Order No. 60 both take effect on 2026-06-01. Articles 2—4 of Order No. 19 apply to people directly performing listed specialized work, requiring dedicated training, assessment and the relevant certificate; other statutory provisions take precedence where applicable. Articles 2—3 of Order No. 60 apply to relevant specialized construction work on building and municipal projects and require the corresponding qualification certificate. A helper title does not imply that everyone needs welding / height certificates. Distinguish certificates, site task permits and pressure-pipeline inspection authority.

Limits on conclusions in neighboring roles | Conclusions in related and neighboring roles are mostly limited to the relevant process or pipe section and generally do not determine piping system safety, pressure-pipeline inspection or legal liability. Conclusions spanning specialties or involving pressure and major safety issues have limits on their applicability.

Limits on conclusions in this occupation | Measurement, cutting, joining, support and pressure-test conclusions should state only verifiable records, work performed and results, distinguishing measured facts, judgments and inferences, and matters awaiting verification. Workers must not issue conclusions in their own name on matters beyond their qualifications, such as trench acceptance, pressure-pipeline inspection or accident determinations.

Checks before joining | Use the following six items when applying and before starting work, to avoid inferring actual duties and authority from job titles or promotional wording. Base findings on written recruitment information, employment contracts, job descriptions, and construction and safety procedures, and keep confirming them after joining. This page lists checks only and does not constitute a hiring or safety determination.

Check guidance | Similar job titles may have very different duties and authority. Some focus on materials, measurement, cutting and cleaning; others on joining, assembly, supports and pressure testing; others on specific systems, such as water supply and drainage, HVAC, industrial piping or gas; and some also involve trench, welding and height assistance. Specialized work, qualification and safety requirements vary by enterprise and jurisdiction. Check them before assessing fit.

01 Actual duties, work and site authority | Check whether the role actually provides on-site assistance with measurement, cutting, threading, joining and supports, or mainly handling, cleaning and support. Confirm permitted systems and locations, such as water supply and drainage, HVAC, industrial, gas or outdoor piping; authority to use tools, equipment and welding and cutting equipment; authorization for trench and pressure work and work permits; and interfaces with skilled workers, crews, materials personnel and safety personnel.

Check guidance | This occupation commonly works around dust, contaminants, noise, outdoor conditions, heights and cramped spaces and involves trench and welding risks. It generally requires training in safety, trenches, supports, sloping, welding, cutting, hot work, heights, pipe shafts and occupational health, with compliance with personal protection and emergency response requirements.

02 Safety, occupational health, trench, welding and height requirements | Check whether the employer requires and provides safe operating procedures and training for trenches, supports, sloping, edges and openings; welding, cutting, hot work, height and work permit requirements; personal protection, emergency response and drills; handling and reporting requirements for cutting waste, leftover materials, waste liquids and noise; and requirements for identifying and reporting trench, system and site hazards.

Check guidance | U.S. O*NET places 47-3015.00, Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, in Job Zone 1-2 (little or no preparation to some preparation needed), with an SVP range below 6.0 (SVP Below 6.0). The education section provides no percentages by educational level, only qualitative statements that some positions require a high school diploma or equivalent, some a postsecondary certificate, and some a master's degree. The occupation displays Bright Outlook. In the U.S., preparation usually involves short-term on-the-job training and skilled-worker mentoring, or registered piping and plumbing apprenticeships.

03 Education, training, apprenticeship and qualification requirements | Check whether vocational school training, on-the-job experience or registered apprenticeship is required (the page lists Job Zone 1-2, little or no preparation to some preparation needed, and SVP below 6.0, SVP Below 6.0); whether skilled-worker mentoring or registered piping and plumbing apprenticeships are provided; whether fusion welding, thermal cutting or work at height requires qualifications, internal training or assessment; and whether training and assessment cover measurement, cutting, threading, joining, supports, pressure testing, safety and emergency response.

Check guidance | This occupation focuses on inspection, information evaluation, obtaining information and handling. Its highest-rated activities are inspecting equipment 82, evaluating information to determine compliance with standards 78, getting information 78, and handling and moving objects 76. Hazardous equipment, contaminants and noise are common, accuracy requirements are high, consequences of error are serious, and work is constrained by sequencing and schedules. Include site conditions, physical demands and tolerance for safety-related demands in your checks.

04 Pay, working hours and employment contract definitions | Check compensation components: base pay; overtime, accelerated schedule, height and welding allowances; piece rates and crew performance pay; regional, enterprise and project differences; the five social insurance schemes and housing provident fund; labor protection, protective supplies, meals and accommodation. Confirm working hours, shifts, movement between project locations, rainy-season and winter shutdown arrangements, contract duration, probation and termination terms, and training, qualification and advancement arrangements. U.S. medians and percentiles are market references only, not any enterprise's or region's offer.

Check guidance | Interfaces with skilled workers, crews, project teams, materials suppliers and safety personnel determine measurement, joining, pressure testing, acceptance, authority, responsibility and disclosure boundaries and must be clarified beforehand.

05 Interfaces with skilled workers, crews and projects | Confirm authority to approve and adjust materials, pipe sections and joining methods; arrangements for requesting, using and reviewing tools, equipment and welding and cutting equipment; processes for measurement, joining, pressure testing, nonconformities and rework; and requirements for handling and externally providing project and supplier drawings and technical information.

Check guidance | Traceability and recordkeeping requirements for work orders, materials, measurement, joining, pressure testing and abnormalities determine quality and responsibility boundaries. Clarify templates, deadlines, amendment, archiving, access and retention rules beforehand. Project and supplier technical information must also follow confidentiality and minimum-necessary requirements.

06 Materials, piping, cleanup and record requirements | Check requirements for work order records; materials, specifications and quantities; measurement, cutting and threading; joining, assembly, brackets and hangers; trenches, supports and sloping; pressure testing, flushing and restoration; abnormalities, rework and outstanding items; and work permits, shift handovers, original records and revision trails.

Conclusion | The central distinction between this page's O*NET 47-3015.00 Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters and neighboring roles concerns work objects, outputs and authorization levels. This occupation works with pipes, fittings, valves, trenches and on-site assistance, producing assistance completed according to drawings and procedures and traceable materials and work records. Plumbers, pipelayers, boilermakers, carpenter helpers and construction laborers focus on their own work objects, with different outputs and authorization levels.

Evidence note | The occupations compared below come from O*NET classifications and public sources. The comparison helps distinguish neighboring occupations' work and assess fit. It does not constitute qualification, hiring or pay conclusions, or safety, specialized work or legal advice. Check wages and employment using each occupation's own code and statistical coverage; figures cannot be transferred between occupations.

Introduction | The comparison below uses four columns: occupational direction—core work and outputs—key distinction—who may prefer it. Piping, boiler, carpentry and general construction roles often connect within the same project and process, but coordination does not make them interchangeable. Their work objects, materials, qualifications and responsibility boundaries differ and must be checked separately.

Key distinction: this occupation works with pipes, fittings, valves, trenches and on-site assistance. Using piping, tools and site coordination skills, workers complete measurement, cutting, threading, joining, supports and cleaning within skilled workers' instructions and job authorization, taking responsibility for work safety, process quality and site order. Neighboring roles focus on independent pipe installation, laying, boiler fabrication, carpentry or general construction, with different specialties and authority.

May better suit people willing to provide hands-on assistance with pipes, tools and site work, perform measurement, cutting, threading, joining and supports thoroughly according to skilled workers' instructions and drawings, and accept responsibility for work safety and process quality.

Core work and outputs: request tools, select pipe types and sizes and transport materials; cut or drill wall or floor passages; measure, cut, thread and feed wire through pipes; install valves, couplings and assemblies; assemble new pipes and place them on supports; install brackets, hangers and sleeves; and clean work areas and equipment. Outputs are assistance completed according to drawings and procedures and materials and work records.

This occupation: Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (O*NET/SOC 47-3015.00, Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters)

Key distinction: focuses on independent pipe installation, maintenance and pressure testing, producing piping systems and acceptance records. This occupation focuses on on-site assistance, with a different authorization level.

May better suit people willing to take independent responsibility for pipe installation, maintenance and pressure testing; this occupation emphasizes on-site assistance with materials, measurement, cutting and joining.

Core work and outputs: installing, maintaining and pressure-testing water supply, drainage, HVAC and industrial piping, producing piping systems, pressure-test and acceptance records.

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, 47-2152.00)

Key distinction: focuses on outdoor pipe laying and joints, producing outdoor pipes and acceptance records. This occupation focuses on on-site piping assistance, with different work scope and authority.

May better suit people willing to perform outdoor pipe laying and joining; this occupation emphasizes on-site assistance with indoor and outdoor pipe installation.

Core work and outputs: outdoor pipe laying, trench work, joining and backfilling, producing outdoor pipes, joints and acceptance records.

Pipelayers (Pipelayers, 47-2151.00)

Key distinction: focuses on boiler and pressure-vessel fabrication, producing boiler and pressure-vessel records. This occupation focuses on on-site pipe installation assistance, with different specialties and authority.

May better suit people willing to fabricate and install boilers and pressure vessels; this occupation emphasizes on-site pipe installation assistance.

Core work and outputs: fabricating, installing, maintaining and welding boilers, pressure vessels and tanks, producing boilers, pressure vessels and installation records.

Boilermakers (Boilermakers, 47-2011.00)

Key distinction: focuses on carpentry assistance, producing carpentry assistance and records. This occupation focuses on piping assistance, with different materials and specialties.

May better suit people willing to provide on-site carpentry assistance; this occupation emphasizes piping assistance with pipes, fittings and joining.

Core work and outputs: assistance with cutting, positioning and fastening timber, panels and formwork, producing carpentry assistance and records.

Helpers--Carpenters (Helpers--Carpenters, 47-3012.00)

Key distinction: focuses on general construction, demolition and handling, producing construction work records. This occupation focuses on on-site piping assistance, with a different specialty.

May better suit people willing to perform general construction, demolition and handling; this occupation emphasizes materials, measurement and joining assistance for piping crews.

Core work and outputs: earthwork, demolition, handling and assistance on general construction sites, producing general construction work and safety records.

Construction Laborers (Construction Laborers, 47-2061.00)

Transition | This page places neighboring roles side by side by work objects, outputs and authorization levels to help you decide which piping, boiler, carpentry or general construction work you want to pursue over time. In every direction, actual readiness depends on the relevant materials, procedures, safety and qualification capabilities, together with the target enterprise's and jurisdiction's training, specialized work and qualification requirements. Check wages and employment using each occupation's own code and statistical coverage; figures cannot be transferred between occupations.

Entry and job-shadowing stage

Use digital tools for reversible support tasks: organizing work orders and materials ledgers, looking up piping drawings and fittings, and entering quantities and progress. Measurement, cutting, joining and safety judgments remain subject to skilled workers' instructions and authorization.

Independent assistance role

Use materials and labor-hour records and project communication applications to record quantities, progress and handovers. You remain responsible for measurement, cutting, threading, joining and support judgments according to procedures.

Skilled and specialist roles

Use tools to aggregate and analyze data on multiple locations, materials, quantities and progress. Confirm complex and controlled matters, including trenches, welding, pressure and specialized work, with skilled workers or safety personnel.

Crew leader and site management roles

Use tools for quality, safety, materials, cost and progress statistics, reports and knowledge management. Major conclusions, pipeline design changes and external disclosures require human approval and records.

Direct answer | Tasks and potential-exposure research do not establish that the whole occupation cannot be displaced, that measured exposure is low, or that enterprises widely adopt AI. Materials ledgers, length calculations and draft records may be trialed under controlled conditions. Actual duties such as on-site measurement, cutting and joining depend on training, qualifications and permits; tool outputs do not establish pressure-test acceptance. Assess technical possibility, enterprise adoption and job outcomes separately.

O*NET 47-3015.00 detailed information (tasks and work activities)

Used to define this occupation's task scope and work context: installing or assisting in installing valves, couplings or assemblies on tanks, pumps or systems with hand tools; installing wall and ceiling brackets and hangers and setting sleeves; roughing in, repairing and replacing plumbing fixtures and water heaters and locating, repairing or removing leaking or broken pipes; cutting pipes and passing them up to pipefitters; and measuring, cutting, threading and assembling new pipes. Activity ratings include inspecting equipment 82, evaluating information to determine compliance with standards 78, getting information 78, and handling and moving objects 76. This is a U.S. occupational classification and does not cover mainland China's specialized work and pressure-pipeline regulations.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS 2025)

Used for point-in-time estimates of U.S. wages and percentiles. This page uses data for this occupation itself as presented on O*NET's 47-3015.00 page, and does not call them neighboring occupation figures.

BLS Employment Projections (2025—2035)

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes.

O*NET 47-3015.00 hot technologies (software skills)

Software information for this occupation lists Office, Excel and Word; it does not establish project system installation rates, AI adoption rates or uniform entry requirements.

ILO study on generative AI and occupational exposure indices for employment

ILO2025 Working Paper 140 studies four levels of potential task exposure, not actual adoption. This page assigns no measured exposure level or disappearance year to this occupation.

NIST Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0)

Used for general governance and risk control principles; it is not a piping, specialized work, safety or legal standard.

O*NET 47-3015.00 work context (tasks, environment and safety)

Used to explain this occupation's work and safety characteristics: hazardous equipment exposure 81% daily, contaminant exposure 75% daily, high accuracy requirements, serious consequences of error, and sequencing and schedule constraints. The page gives no specific percentages for contact, face-to-face discussions or time pressure.

The following differences are editorial suggestions for materials and records assistance in this occupation, not measured automation rankings.

Trial organizing work orders and material labels, checking each against original records; do not generate actual materials or acceptance status.

Skilled workers and authorized personnel check actual specifications, drawing versions, compatibility and permitted duties; P01 does not determine whether construction may proceed.

Assist with length, quantity and version summaries, separating originals from changes; do not generate already-cut or already-tested status.

Check actual changes, acceptance and disclosure against job authority; record calculations do not confer approval.

Assist with manual retrieval summaries; check versions and original material sources.

Relevant personnel verify actual safety and quality responsibilities under procedures; retrieval is not permission.

Evidence introduction | Citation rules: cite only sources supporting this page's claims; identify jurisdiction, period, statistical coverage and whether data are for 47-3015.00 itself. General research mainly concerning broad occupational groups must not infer changes to individual jobs in this occupation. Technology lists do not establish adoption; materials and progress tool mentions do not transfer responsibility.

Occupational description, not an automation rate or risk rating

O*NET 47-3015.00 detailed information

Tasks and work context describe the occupation, indicating substantial inspection, handling and safety responsibilities

Task information supports materials, measurement, joining and installation assistance; it does not measure AI displacement rates or occupational disappearance.

Not applicable to other jurisdictions; the median is not a starting wage

BLS OEWS (2025, data for this occupation itself, 47-3015.00)

Point-in-time sample estimates of U.S. wages

2025 U.S. medians: USD 20.36 / USD 42,360. National percentiles are not individual starting wages. OEWS includes employed full-time / part-time workers and production bonuses, and excludes overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, benefit costs and self-employment, among other exclusions. Employment matrices include self-employment, so the two scopes differ.

Openings include growth and replacements; the replacement share has not been checked. They are not actual job postings.

BLS Employment Projections (2025—2035, data for this occupation itself, 47-3015.00)

Projections include growth and replacement needs

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes.

Technology mentions do not establish adoption or degree of automation

O*NET 47-3015.00 hot technologies (software skills)

Software mention list for this occupation: Office, Excel and Word

Use software mentions to check target requirements; they do not establish widespread project system adoption, degree of automation or transfer of on-site responsibility.

Not a piping, specialized work, safety or legal standard

NIST AI RMF 1.0

General AI risk governance framework

Using generative tools, automated data organization and digital records requires clear responsibility, safety and quality review, verification of results and a rollback plan

Technical feasibility: equipment or systems may technically affect a task. This is only a feasibility judgment, not permission to use them or evidence that enterprises have adopted them.

Enterprise and regulatory adoption: introduction depends on trench, welding, specialized work and pressure-pipeline requirements and enterprise construction and safety management procedures. Work and personal safety responsibilities cannot be transferred by introducing a system.

Job outcomes require checks of periods, actual vacancies and enterprise demand; projections and potential exposure do not identify investment or AI causation.

Existing tasks, projections and potential-exposure research do not justify asserting that the whole occupation cannot be displaced. Trial ledgers and records under controlled conditions; check site task training and authority separately. Growth categories do not establish displacement rates.

Sources: O*NET tasks for this occupation; ILO2025 potential index, not a measured displacement rate.

This occupation is not defined by programming tasks; the software list contains only Office, Excel and Word. Check target role systems and training requirements separately; do not assert that every role needs no programming.

Sources: O*NET tasks and software for this occupation; check target recruitment separately.

Materials ledgers, recorded lengths and draft version records may be trialed as controlled assistance. This is editorial task analysis, not a measured ranking of the easiest tasks to automate.

Source: O*NET tasks; this page's assistance suggestions are editorial analysis.

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes.

Sources: O*NET older-period projections and current growth category; do not extend beyond 2035.

AI outputs cannot establish that actual joints or pressure tests have passed. Check actual duties against applicable training, qualifications, drawings, standards and site permits. Helpers in this occupation also have installation and repair tasks; paper tools do not authorize them.

Source: NIST governance suggestions; check actual tasks and authority separately.

The tasks, projections and potential-exposure research checked provide no disappearance year for this occupation. Growth, software and technical capabilities do not establish one.

Sources: O*NET projections and ILO potential exposure; no disappearance year identified for this occupation.

Prepare drawing version checks, material labels, recorded lengths, truthful records and communication with skilled workers. Actual cutting, joining and similar work require applicable training, qualifications and permits. Start with P01 paper calculations and unknown conditions; do not experiment on unauthorized sites.

Source: O*NET helper tasks; P01 is this page's editorial preparation suggestion.

Responsibility introduction | Efficiency can be delegated to equipment and systems; on-site measurement, cutting, joining and support judgments, safety and process responsibility cannot. The following five steps identify human responsibilities that must be preserved before and after adopting digital tools or automated data and report generation.

Tasks and boundaries: skilled workers and appropriately qualified and authorized personnel must define location, pipe section, trench, pressure and safety boundaries. Equipment and systems do not replace site and piping judgments.

Data and methods: you must check and review quantities, measurements, materials, progress data, sources and validation. Explicitly state data gaps or deviations; do not conceal gaps with system outputs.

Conclusions and determinations: you must draw measurement, cutting, joining, support and pressure-test conclusions according to drawings, procedures and current standards. System outputs must not directly authorize release, rework or external publication.

Safety and compliance: trenches, supports, sloping, welding, cutting, hot work, heights, open edges, pipe shafts, pressure, work permits and personal protection must follow construction safety and specialized work requirements and established procedures. Manage controlled information according to confidentiality and retention requirements.

Changes and disclosure: disclosure of materials, pipe sections and joining information, and pipeline design or system changes, must remain within authorization and procedures. Pause, isolate and report trench, welding, pressure or authorization-related abnormalities under established procedures.

Directly using system-generated joining or pressure-testing suggestions for installation or release

You must verify joining, safety and quality responsibilities against drawings and procedures and retain records

Accidentally sending project and supplier drawings and technical information to unauthorized channels

Limit purpose, retention period and access; do not upload controlled information to external services or unauthorized environments

Untraceable inputs, tool versions and human revisions may prevent rechecking material lengths and record discrepancies.

Retain original work orders, input versions, outputs and human revisions. Generated content must not pose as measurements or completed acceptance.

Mismatched length units, material labels, drawing versions or record statuses may distort material preparation and handovers.

Check original lengths and labels and distinguish proposed handovers from confirmed receipt. Do not generate missing media, units, calibration information or acceptance ranges.

Unclear responsibility: who joins, determines acceptance, and approves changes and disclosure is unspecified

Before adopting a system, define work, application and approval paths and responsible personnel, and retain records

You are responsible for material selection, transport and preparation judgments (human control point)

Materials and preparation

Checklists can assist; people remain responsible for judgments

Request tools, select pipe types and sizes and transport materials

You are responsible for measurement, cutting and threading dimensions according to procedures (human control point)

Measurement and fabrication

Calculations can assist; people remain responsible for judgments

Cut or drill walls or floors, and measure, cut, thread and feed wire through pipes

You are responsible for joining, assembly and fastening (human control point)

Joining and assembly

Information can assist; people remain responsible for joining judgments

Install valves, couplings and assemblies and assemble new pipes

You are responsible for brackets, hangers and positioning according to drawings (human control point)

Supports and positioning

Records can assist; people remain responsible for positioning judgments

Install brackets, hangers and sleeves and place assembled pipes

You are responsible for cleaning, waste removal and restoration according to procedures (human control point)

Cleaning and closeout

Records can assist; people remain responsible for judgments

Clean work areas and equipment and remove cutting waste and leftover materials

You are responsible for trenches, welding and hot work according to your qualifications (human control point)

Trenches, welding and hot work

Records can assist; people remain responsible for safety judgments

Assist according to trench, support, welding, cutting and hot work requirements

You identify, isolate and report abnormalities and request rework within your authorization (human control point)

Handling abnormalities

Abnormality records can assist; people remain responsible for determinations and handling

Identify trench, welding, pressure or height abnormalities, isolate and report them

Editorial suggestion | Trial materials lists, length calculations and draft records using approved or fictional data and check original records. This page provides no measured efficiency, adoption rate or income effects. Actual measurement, joining, pressure testing and safety approvals must follow task qualifications and site authority.

Position in the 2025 U.S. national wage distribution for this occupation, not Chinese wages or novice or senior levels. It does not establish causal effects of region, education or duties on income. Percentiles retain the original registration; access to the expanded percentile page failed this round. The median was confirmed through current details.

Median hourly wage USD 20.36 / median annual wage USD 42,360 (2025, BLS OEWS, data for this occupation itself, 47-3015.00)

Position in the 2025 U.S. national wage distribution for this occupation, not Chinese wages or novice or senior levels. It does not establish causal effects of region, education or duties on income. Percentiles retain the original registration; access to the expanded percentile page failed this round. The median was confirmed through current details.

75th percentile hourly wage USD 22.94 / annual wage USD 47,720 (2025, BLS OEWS, data for this occupation itself, 47-3015.00)

Position in the 2025 U.S. national wage distribution for this occupation, not Chinese wages or novice or senior levels. It does not establish causal effects of region, education or duties on income. Percentiles retain the original registration; access to the expanded percentile page failed this round. The median was confirmed through current details.

90th percentile hourly wage USD 27.78 / annual wage USD 57,780 (2025, BLS OEWS, data for this occupation itself, 47-3015.00)

Position in the 2025 U.S. national wage distribution for this occupation, not Chinese wages or novice or senior levels. It does not establish causal effects of region, education or duties on income. Percentiles retain the original registration; access to the expanded percentile page failed this round. The median was confirmed through current details.

U.S. employment in this occupation: 45,300 in 2025 (BLS Employment Projections base year, as presented by O*NET)

Projection base-year employment differs in scope from OEWS employee wages; it does not identify construction investment or AI causation.

U.S. 2025—2035 growth category for this occupation: 1%—2% (Slower than average)

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes.

U.S. projected average annual openings for this occupation in 2025—2035: 4,400, including growth and replacements

Average annual openings over the period, not net new jobs, current vacancies or an AI displacement rate.

AI and wages | No measured exposure level, adoption rate or income effects were obtained for this occupation. Materials ledger organization may be trialed under controlled conditions with fictional / approved data. Software mentions do not establish low exposure.

This occupation's tasks involve pipe installation assistance, so construction wages may provide related industry background. National 2025 annual average wages for urban non-private / private construction units are listed separately and are not this occupation's wages. The precise national helper distribution gap remains.

Check role education and training requirements

Check the actual role's jurisdiction

U.S. O*NET new-hire education requirements only qualitatively list high school or equivalent, postsecondary certificates and master's degrees as requirements for some positions, without percentages. This is not a uniform Chinese or occupation-wide entry requirement and does not measure the educational composition of current workers.

Capabilities in materials, measurement, cutting, threading, joining and supports

Check against tasks and training

Helpers may measure, cut, join and install supports, but specific training, equipment and site authority require separate checks; a title does not confer authorization.

Check qualifications for listed work

Positions involving the relevant work

In China, check the actual jurisdiction and work: Ministry of Emergency Management Order No. 19 and Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Order No. 60 both take effect on 2026-06-01. Articles 2—4 of Order No. 19 apply to people directly performing listed specialized work, requiring dedicated training, assessment and the relevant certificate; other statutory provisions take precedence where applicable. Articles 2—3 of Order No. 60 apply to relevant specialized construction work on building and municipal projects and require the corresponding qualification certificate. A helper title does not imply that everyone needs welding / height certificates. Distinguish certificates, site task permits and pressure-pipeline inspection authority.

Occupational health and labor protection requirements

Positions involving dust, contaminants, noise and outdoor work

Check occupational health and protection against actual job hazards, applicable procedures and competent authority conditions. This page invents no uniform examination, rotation or reporting arrangements for all helpers.

Construction (Construction)

Construction is a task setting for this occupation. O*NET's current U.S. industry distribution shows construction at 94%. China's construction industry is only a task-related industry reference and does not imply identical U.S. and Chinese employment structures.

Building mechanical and electrical installation and specialty contracting (reference)

Some piping assistance roles serve building mechanical and electrical installation and specialty contracting enterprises. These industry averages do not equal this occupation's wages and are not used as substitutes on this page.

Municipal works, industrial installation and equipment maintenance (reference)

Some roles may fall within municipal works, industrial installation and equipment maintenance categories. These industry averages do not equal this occupation's wages and are not used as substitutes on this page.

National Bureau of Statistics: annual average wages of employed persons in urban units in 2025 | https://www.stats.gov.cn/sj/zxfb/202605/t20260515_1963707.html

Occupational name comparison | U.S. 47-3015.00 covers piping helpers. Piping assistant and installation assistant may be search terms. Plumber, plumbing and heating worker, and pipe installer may be independent trades, not helper synonyms or statutory one-to-one mappings in China.

Insufficient evidence: the Chinese sources checked did not provide a national occupational wage distribution precisely matching piping helpers under 47-3015.00. Plumbers, plumbing and heating workers and pipe installers are related searches only. Independent trades are not statutory one-to-one helper mappings, and industry averages, recruitment offers and U.S. data are not substitutes.

Insufficient evidence: the Chinese sources checked did not provide a national occupational wage distribution precisely matching piping helpers under 47-3015.00. Plumbers, plumbing and heating workers and pipe installers are related searches only. Independent trades are not statutory one-to-one helper mappings, and industry averages, recruitment offers and U.S. data are not substitutes.

Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security: enterprise remuneration survey information | https://www.mohrss.gov.cn/

Pay checks (editorial compilation) | Ask the target employer about base pay, hours, overtime, allowances, payment cycles and permitted tasks. U.S. national percentiles do not identify Chinese helper incomes or qualification returns. Construction reference averages cover multiple occupations and roles and must not be combined into a personal income range.

Mainland China construction: urban non-private units, 2025

Annual average wage RMB 92,036; employed persons in construction in national urban non-private units, on a tax-inclusive total wage basis, not this occupation's median, monthly wage or take-home income.

Mainland China construction: urban private units, 2025

Annual average wage RMB 66,275; employed persons in construction in national urban private units, on a tax-inclusive total wage basis, not this occupation's median, monthly wage or take-home income.

Precise national occupational wages for this occupation in mainland China

Insufficient evidence: the Chinese sources checked did not provide verifiable piping helper wages for this city or region. Related independent trades, industry averages, recruitment and U.S. data are not substitutes.

Classification comparison | This page covers the exact O*NET occupation 47-3015.00, Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. It differs from neighboring occupations such as Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152.00), Pipelayers (47-2151.00), Boilermakers (47-2011.00), Helpers--Carpenters (47-3012.00), and Construction Laborers (47-2061.00). Check wages and employment using each occupation's own code and statistical coverage; figures cannot be transferred between occupations.

U.S. BLS and O*NET statistical coverage notes | https://www.bls.gov/oes/

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes.

Median hourly wage USD 20.36 / median annual wage USD 42,360 (2025, BLS OEWS, data for this occupation itself, 47-3015.00)

Coverage | U.S. national median for this occupation (47-3015.00), 2025 BLS OEWS as presented on O*NET's 47-3015.00 page. Limits | The national median is the distribution midpoint, not an individual starting wage; includes production bonuses and excludes overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefit costs.

10th percentile hourly wage USD 16.15 / annual wage USD 33,590 (2025, BLS OEWS, data for this occupation itself, 47-3015.00)

Coverage | 2025 U.S. 10th percentile wage for this occupation. Limits | Distribution position does not identify novice, cleaning or material-handling roles.

25th percentile hourly wage USD 17.76 / annual wage USD 36,940 (2025, BLS OEWS, data for this occupation itself, 47-3015.00)

Coverage | 2025 U.S. 25th percentile wage for this occupation. Limits | Not a pay-setting basis for a region, education level or qualification.

75th percentile hourly wage USD 22.94 / annual wage USD 47,720 (2025, BLS OEWS, data for this occupation itself, 47-3015.00)

Coverage | 2025 U.S. 75th percentile wage for this occupation. Limits | Does not identify independent cutting or welding, seniority or crew leadership.

90th percentile hourly wage USD 27.78 / annual wage USD 57,780 (2025, BLS OEWS, data for this occupation itself, 47-3015.00)

Coverage | 2025 U.S. 90th percentile wage for this occupation. Limits | Does not promise individual attainment or identify pressure-pipeline qualification roles.

Employment: approximately 45,300 workers (2024, BLS Employment Projections base year, data for this occupation itself, 47-3015.00)

Coverage | 2024 employment of 45,300 is the projection base year. Limits | The matrix includes self-employment and differs from OEWS point-in-time employee estimates.

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes.

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes. Source | https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/47-3015.00

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes.

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes. Source | https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/47-3015.00

Limits | The figures above come from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS 2025) and BLS Employment Projections (2025—2035), as presented on O*NET's 47-3015.00 page. That page does not mark them as coming from a broader or neighboring occupation. This page presents data for this occupation itself, without borrowing neighboring figures. Wages include production bonuses and exclude overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefit costs.

Current 2025 U.S. median wages for 47-3015.00 are USD 20.36 per hour and USD 42,360 per year. Percentiles retain the original 2025 registration and are not individual starting wages. For U.S. occupation 47-3015.00, O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes.

National percentiles do not identify causal effects of engineering systems; check target contracts and compensation components separately.

Project type and system

Check education, training and qualifications against target tasks; wage percentiles do not establish their causal effects on income.

Region, skills and qualifications

High percentiles do not identify welding, pressure, height or management roles; do not infer income from responsibility levels.

Job responsibilities and crew leadership

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes.

Construction (Construction)

Insufficient evidence: no industry median wage readable for this exact occupation was obtained this round. Industry averages and third-party estimates are not substitutes.

O*NET's 47-3015.00 page identifies construction as this occupation's main U.S. industry. The National Bureau of Statistics publishes average wages by industry category, without occupational distinctions.

Building mechanical and electrical installation and specialty contracting (reference)

Insufficient evidence: no industry median wage readable for this exact occupation was obtained this round. Industry averages and third-party estimates are not substitutes.

Some piping assistance roles serve building mechanical and electrical installation and specialty contracting enterprises. These industry averages do not equal this occupation's wages and are not used as substitutes on this page.

Municipal works, industrial installation and equipment maintenance (reference)

Insufficient evidence: no industry median wage readable for this exact occupation was obtained this round. Industry averages and third-party estimates are not substitutes.

Some roles may fall within municipal works, industrial installation and equipment maintenance categories. These industry averages do not equal this occupation's wages and are not used as substitutes on this page.

Water supply and drainage, HVAC and gas (reference)

Insufficient evidence: no industry median wage readable for this exact occupation was obtained this round. Industry averages and third-party estimates are not substitutes.

Piping-related roles may fall within water supply and drainage, HVAC and gas subdivisions. These industry averages do not equal this occupation's wages and are not used as substitutes on this page.

National annual wages at the 10th and 90th percentiles are USD 33,590 and USD 57,780 (original 2025 registration; expanded page access failed this round). Percentiles do not identify differences caused by region, project, experience, qualifications or responsibilities, nor are they starting or maximum wages.

Reading the coverage: OEWS wages are employer-reported, include production bonuses, and exclude overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefit costs. The figures on this page are presented through O*NET's 47-3015.00 page, which does not mark them as coming from a broader or neighboring occupation. They are therefore presented as data for this occupation itself and cannot establish individual incomes in neighboring occupations.

Check education, training and task permits against target roles. O*NET's new-hire education description is not the educational composition of current workers; wage percentiles do not establish income effects of education, qualifications or experience.

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes.

Median hourly wage USD 20.36 / median annual wage USD 42,360 (2025, BLS OEWS, data for this occupation itself, 47-3015.00)

Low national percentiles do not identify novice, handling, cleaning or auxiliary-material roles; check target contracts and compensation components separately.

The median is the distribution midpoint, not entry-level pay, a skill return or neighboring occupation income.

High national percentiles do not establish seniority, welding, pressure-pipeline or crew leadership status, or promise individual attainment.

Holland (RIASEC) | Used to understand your relative Realistic and Conventional preferences. This occupation's O*NET interest code is RC (Realistic—Conventional), corresponding to willingness to install or repair pipes and equipment hands-on and use tools and materials for physical activities (Realistic), and willingness to organize information and data and maintain order according to procedures and rules (Conventional).

Occupational interest descriptor, not individual predictive validity

If working around dust, contaminants, noise, outdoors, heights and cramped spaces is difficult, or you struggle with a pace varying by project sequencing, schedules and weather and possibly involving overtime, or are unwilling to take responsibility for work safety, process quality and site order, a high interest questionnaire score cannot change these practical costs. Also confirm the employer's fusion welding, thermal cutting, work-at-height and occupational health requirements.

Use the Big Five for self-reflection on habits around measurement, material labels and work orders; O*NET work styles are not a Big Five scale or individual performance predictions.

Editorial self-reflection, not personality predictive validity

Check actual tasks and behavior; do not infer reduced fit from personality scores.

Understanding this interest code: RC means Realistic, installing or repairing pipes and equipment hands-on and using tools and materials for physical activities, and Conventional, organizing information and data and maintaining order according to procedures and rules. It explains occupational preferences, not ability or qualifications.

Use MBTI to describe preferences during crew abnormalities, not to determine competence or grant qualifications.

Interest experience: enjoying complete assistance with measurement, cutting, threading, joining, supports and cleaning, and gaining satisfaction from an orderly site where pipes, safety and records are all handled properly.

Boundaries of type tools

RC

Realistic—Conventional

Types cannot replace actual skills, training or qualifications.

Use the Enneagram only for reflection. Observe correction of omissions and communication under pressure; do not judge work quality by type.

Boundaries of type tools

Enneagram types do not equal work quality or job qualifications.

Reasoning observation | Discuss relationships among lengths, work sequences and status; check job requirements separately. No validity evidence was obtained for IQ scores predicting occupational performance.

Editorial observation, not occupational assessment validity

Assessment scores do not replace job training or qualifications.

Emotional intelligence supports self-reflection on behavior during crew abnormalities; no validity evidence establishes scores predicting performance in this occupation.

Editorial self-reflection, not a hiring standard

Emotional intelligence scores do not confer job authority.

Boundaries | Assessment directions are exploratory only; they do not score hiring suitability or confer actual construction authority. U.S. preparation descriptions are not Chinese entry requirements; P01 is a paper exercise.

Direct answer | Personality cannot predict actual safety or operating performance. First use P01 to check lengths, labels and status; real practical work follows mentoring, training, qualifications and authority.

This occupation's direction, Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Outputs are assistance completed according to drawings and procedures—materials, measurement, cutting, threading, joining, supports and cleaning—and traceable materials and work records: materials and preparation, measurement and fabrication, joining and assembly, supports and positioning, cleaning, closeout and records

Able to independently complete measurement, cutting, threading, joining, supports, cleaning and records within skilled workers' instructions, job authorization and operating procedures

First check target site equipment, noise, space, physical demands and hours; do not generalize all helper environments or judge fit from paper exercises.

Plumbing and pipefitting direction

Piping system installation, repairs and relevant records. Ask whether you want to prepare for an independent piping specialty; check actual training and qualifications separately. Helper experience does not automatically confer them.

If you prefer on-site assistance with pipes, fittings and joining rather than that direction, compare this occupation's differences further.

Pipelaying direction

Outdoor pipe laying, joints and backfilling records. Ask whether you want to prepare for outdoor processes and site conditions; check actual training and authority separately.

If you prefer on-site assistance with pipes, fittings and joining rather than that direction, compare this occupation's differences further.

Boiler fabrication and installation direction

Boiler assembly, installation, maintenance and records. Ask whether you want to prepare for the relevant equipment specialty; helper experience does not automatically confer boiler work qualifications.

If you prefer on-site assistance with pipes, fittings and joining rather than that direction, compare this occupation's differences further.

Carpenter helper direction

Wood and tool supply and carpentry assistance records. Ask whether you want to prepare for woodwork objects and collaboration; do not require all piping and boiler skills.

If you prefer on-site assistance with pipes, fittings and joining rather than that direction, compare this occupation's differences further.

Construction labor direction

General construction materials and equipment assistance and site records. Ask whether you want to prepare for the relevant processes; check actual trade qualifications against tasks.

If you prefer on-site assistance with pipes, fittings and joining rather than that direction, compare this occupation's differences further.

What personalities better suit Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters? This occupation places more value on safety awareness, rigor with drawings, procedures and accuracy, responsibility for work safety, process quality and site order, and stability under sequencing and schedule pressure than on a particular personality type. Its O*NET interest code is RC (Realistic—Conventional).

Can introverts fit this occupation? Yes. Work mainly involves hands-on measurement, cutting, joining and assistance, while requiring communication with skilled workers, crews and materials personnel. Introversion does not prevent competence; pipe accuracy, safety and reliable collaboration matter.

Can extraverts perform well? Extraversion helps collaboration and materials communication, but measurement, joining, safety, procedural judgments and quality responsibility matter more. Degree of extraversion is not an entry requirement.

Which MBTI type best suits this occupation? No type has been proven best suited. MBTI is not an occupational qualification or ability assessment tool; occupational adjustment mainly depends on skills, qualifications, safety and procedural compliance.

Check whether actual job procedures and tasks match preferences; do not infer reduced fit from personality.

Personality scores do not predict individual performance. P01 only observes how lengths, labels and records are expressed. Actual internships follow training, mentoring and authorization; seven days do not confer these.

Can I do this work if I am poor at math? Basic measurement, calculation, reading and pipe-section capabilities are needed. Quantitative foundations can improve through training and tools, but strong difficulty with measuring instruments, pipe sections and measurement would be a significant constraint.

Does this occupation require high emotional intelligence? Emotional stability, communication and conflict handling skills are needed, but no specific assessment score is required. Sequencing, schedule and rework pressure require self-regulation and reporting according to procedures.

The Enneagram supports self-reflection only, not ability assessment. Observe P01 calculations and records without treating paper performance as actual piping safety competence.

Check whether actual job settings and duties match preferences; do not judge personal fit through value labels such as visible results.

Fit signals: willingness to take responsibility for work safety and process quality under trench, support, sloping, welding, cutting, hot work, height and pressure requirements; ability to switch between measurement, cutting, threading, joining, supports and cleaning while valuing evidence and records; maintaining procedures, evidence and review under sequencing and schedule pressure; and isolating and reporting trench, piping or safety abnormalities or matters beyond authorization under procedures.

Caution signals: difficulty working around dust, contaminants, noise, outdoors at height and in cramped spaces; difficulty accepting overtime and a pace varying by project sequencing, schedules and weather; unwillingness to take responsibility for work safety, process quality and site order; or unwillingness to report and hand over matters beyond authorization under procedures.

Verification suggestion | First complete P01 paper length, label and record checks, then check target training, jurisdiction and actual tasks. Paper exercises do not confer actual construction qualifications.

Used to check this occupation's task scope and work context under the U.S. occupational classification.

Used to check this occupation's tasks, work activities and detailed work activities.

Used to check work activity importance: inspecting equipment 82, evaluating information to determine compliance with standards 78, and getting information 78.

Used to check work context: common hazardous equipment exposure (81% daily), common contaminant exposure (75% daily), high accuracy and coordination requirements (30% extremely important, 63% very important), and serious consequences of error (13% extremely serious, 27% very serious, 35% fairly serious).

Used to check O*NET's interest code (RC).

Used to check Job Zone 1-2 (little or no preparation to some preparation needed), training and apprenticeship information.

Used to check point-in-time U.S. wage estimate coverage: data for this occupation itself, not labeled on that page as coming from a broader or neighboring occupation, and not representative of neighboring occupations.

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes.

Boundaries | This page lists relatively common failure types and control points in measurement, cutting, threading, joining, supports and cleaning to help identify and manage risks. It does not constitute safety, specialized work, occupational health or legal advice, or conclusions on individual cases. Trench acceptance, pressure-pipeline inspection, accident determinations and occupational disease diagnoses must be handled by appropriately qualified roles or organizations.

Direct answer | Central risks extend beyond whether pipes can be joined to four failure categories with substantial consequences: safety and personal injury failures, including trench collapse, earthwork and crushing, welding, cutting, fire and burns, heights, open edges and pipe shafts, dust, contaminants and noise; quality and rework failures, where inadequate measurement, cutting, joining or supports cause system leaks, rework and additional downtime; system failures, where pressure pipelines or improper joints cause leaks and damage; and recordkeeping and traceability failures, where inaccurate materials and pressure-test data prevent responsibility from being determined.

Evidence scope | This page draws on O*NET 47-3015.00 tasks and work context: installing or assisting in installing valves, couplings or assemblies on tanks, pumps or systems with hand tools; installing wall and ceiling brackets and hangers and setting sleeves; roughing in, repairing and replacing plumbing fixtures and water heaters and locating, repairing or removing leaking or broken pipes; cutting pipes and passing them up to pipefitters; and measuring, cutting, threading and assembling new pipes. Context includes common hazardous equipment exposure (81% daily), common contaminant exposure (75% daily), serious consequences of error (13% extremely serious, 27% very serious, 35% fairly serious), and high accuracy and coordination requirements (30% extremely important, 63% very important). Under U.S. occupational classification coverage, this helps identify failure types and control points, not draw legal or safety conclusions.

Worker and crew; safety and earthwork managers; personal safety; trench and earthwork boundaries

Trench collapse or improper sloping and supports cause crushing or burial; failure to follow trench, support, sloping and edge requirements

Follow trench, support, sloping and edge protection requirements and check supports. Withdraw immediately, isolate and report trench or soil abnormalities

Scenario | Under schedule pressure, you are asked to start work in a trench not treated according to sloping and support requirements, with paperwork to follow later.

Worker, safety and hot-work managers; personal safety and fire risk; welding, cutting and hot-work boundaries

Improper welding, cutting or hot work causes fire, electric shock or burns; failure to follow hot-work permit, isolation and protection requirements

Welding, cutting and hot work must follow permit, isolation, protection and qualification requirements. Stop immediately, isolate and report fire, burns or equipment abnormalities

Scenario | During a staff shortage, you are asked to temporarily take over welding or work at height despite being untrained.

Worker, safety personnel and scaffold erectors; personal safety; height, edge and pipe-shaft boundaries

Inadequate protection during height, edge or pipe-shaft work causes falls or falling-object injuries; failure to follow erection, acceptance, protection and gas-testing requirements

Follow height, edge, confined-space, ventilation and gas-testing requirements and check protection. Stop immediately, isolate and report environmental or protection abnormalities

Scenario | Gas testing and ventilation for pipe-shaft or confined-space work are ignored, and you are asked to finish joining before addressing ventilation.

Worker, safety and occupational health personnel; occupational health and work environment

Dust, contaminant, noise and vibration exposure causes inhalation injuries or other harm; inadequate ventilation, dust removal, noise reduction or personal protection, or failure to follow substance safety requirements

Editorial control suggestion | Check site dust, noise, material hazards and protection conditions. Stop, report and hand over abnormalities under procedures. This page's task descriptions do not replace project hazard assessments or competent authority standards.

Scenario (editorial example) | Dust and noise conditions during cutting or cleanup remain unclear, but you are urged to continue. First check hazards and protection under site procedures and refer matters to the appropriate role.

Worker, skilled workers and quality inspectors; process quality; joining, pressure-testing and rework boundaries

Inadequate measurement, cutting, joining, supports or pressure testing causes system leaks and rework; failure to follow drawings, procedures and pressure-rating requirements

Complete measurement, cutting, joining, supports and pressure testing according to drawings and procedures. Immediately isolate and report nonconformities or rework needs and assist with repairs

Scenario | Measurement or pressure-test results are marginally nonconforming, but sequencing pressure leads to requests to introduce water or gas first and retest later.

Worker, skilled workers and site management; work quality and responsibility determination; qualification and disclosure boundaries

Missing or inaccurate work orders, materials, measurement and pressure-test records prevent traceability and responsibility determination; issuing trench acceptance or pressure-pipeline inspection conclusions beyond authority, or fabricating retrospective records

Record truthfully under procedures and retain original records and revision trails. Never generate unverified content or issue acceptance or inspection conclusions beyond authority

Scenario | Materials and quantities for a pipe section differ from actual records, but you are asked to issue a quality conclusion using existing records and revise them later.

Used to check this occupation's tasks and work context and identify failure types in measurement, cutting, threading, joining, supports and cleaning under U.S. coverage.

O*NET's summary supports this occupation's duties and scope; it does not establish Chinese permits, protection systems or project hazard conclusions.

Articles 2—4 of Order No. 19 support training, assessment and corresponding operating certificates for people directly performing listed work; they do not establish dust and noise management systems or certification for everyone.

Articles 2—3 of Order No. 60 apply to relevant specialized construction work on building and municipal infrastructure projects. Distinguish certificates from site task permits; do not classify all pipe-shaft work as specialized work.

NIST's voluntary AI governance supports suggestions for original record versions and human review; it is not Chinese specialized work or pressure-pipeline law.

Qualification boundaries (I) | U.S. O*NET new-hire education requirements only qualitatively list high school or equivalent, postsecondary certificates and master's degrees as requirements for some positions, without percentages. This is not a uniform Chinese or occupation-wide entry requirement and does not measure current workers' educational composition. Zone1—2 and Bright Outlook are not Chinese entry requirements or acquired authority.

Qualification boundaries (II) | In China, check the actual jurisdiction and work: Ministry of Emergency Management Order No. 19 and Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Order No. 60 both take effect on 2026-06-01. Articles 2—4 of Order No. 19 apply to people directly performing listed specialized work, requiring dedicated training, assessment and the relevant certificate; other statutory provisions take precedence where applicable. Articles 2—3 of Order No. 60 apply to relevant specialized construction work on building and municipal projects and require the corresponding qualification certificate. A helper title does not imply that everyone needs welding / height certificates. Distinguish certificates, site task permits and pressure-pipeline inspection authority.

Qualification boundaries (III) | Distinguish education, training, certificates, positions, site permits and inspection and acceptance. P01 paper work does not confer actual construction or disclosure authority.

Qualification boundaries (IV) | Fictional P01 checks only lengths, labels and status; it provides no trench, welding or pressure-work steps. Do not start work without checking actual conditions.

Recruitment sample note | This page cites no specific vacancy counts or pay figures and does not infer the whole market or universal no-experience conditions from public channels. Check target role regions, equipment, training, qualifications and tasks against actual recruitment, contracts and current procedures.

P01 four paper work samples are preparation materials only; they do not guarantee hiring, pay or actual work qualifications.

Boundaries | Actual piping tasks follow applicable training, qualifications and site scope. P01 is paper work only and does not establish cutting, joining or pressure-testing competence.

Prepare tools, materials and records within appropriate mentoring and authorization. Start with P01 paper length and label checks only.

Shadowing and support roles

Independently complete measurement, cutting, threading, joining, supports, pressure testing, cleaning and records within skilled workers' instructions, job authorization and procedures. Isolate and report abnormalities, safety issues or matters beyond authorization under established procedures.

Independent assistance role

After dedicated training, prepare for complex piping assistance and abnormality records. Check specialized work, change and acceptance authority separately; being called skilled does not confer full authority.

Skilled and specialist roles

Able to arrange crews and processes, implement and evaluate quality, safety, materials and progress, jointly sign off on abnormalities and coordinate multiple parties.

Crew leader and site management roles

Direct answer | First check actual helper task training, practice material labels, drawing versions and records, then learn practical work within appropriate mentoring and authorization. In China, check the actual jurisdiction and work: Ministry of Emergency Management Order No. 19 and Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Order No. 60 both take effect on 2026-06-01. Articles 2—4 of Order No. 19 apply to people directly performing listed specialized work, requiring dedicated training, assessment and the relevant certificate; other statutory provisions take precedence where applicable. Articles 2—3 of Order No. 60 apply to relevant specialized construction work on building and municipal projects and require the corresponding qualification certificate. A helper title does not imply that everyone needs welding / height certificates. Distinguish certificates, site task permits and pressure-pipeline inspection authority. Start with P01 paper work.

Preparation does not equal authorization. P01 does not replace actual construction qualifications or inspection permits.

Applicable jurisdictions | U.S. O*NET new-hire education requirements only qualitatively list high school or equivalent, postsecondary certificates and master's degrees as requirements for some positions, without percentages. This is not a uniform Chinese or occupation-wide entry requirement and does not measure current workers' educational composition. In China, check the actual jurisdiction and work: Ministry of Emergency Management Order No. 19 and Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Order No. 60 both take effect on 2026-06-01. Articles 2—4 of Order No. 19 apply to people directly performing listed specialized work, requiring dedicated training, assessment and the relevant certificate; other statutory provisions take precedence where applicable. Articles 2—3 of Order No. 60 apply to relevant specialized construction work on building and municipal projects and require the corresponding qualification certificate. A helper title does not imply that everyone needs welding / height certificates. Distinguish certificates, site task permits and pressure-pipeline inspection authority.

Preparation summary | Start with P01 for material labels, lengths, versions and proposed handover status; check actual site training and qualifications separately.

O*NET's U.S. new-hire education requirements are qualitative, without shares, and are not Chinese entry requirements.

Used to check tasks, work activities and work environment and help plan learning priorities.

Used to check national training and registered apprenticeship information for this occupation.

Used to check this occupation's certification directory and search entry points for specialized certifications and training.

Basic materials and tools training records; basic safety and piping training.

Learn key points of material selection, transport, measuring instruments and safety.

Material selection assistance records and mentoring feedback; ability to restate piping, safety and reporting points.

Learn materials, selection, transport, measuring instruments and safety under supervision; do not independently weld or enter trenches.

Materials and preparation shadowing role

Job authorization, safety and qualifications; materials and piping experience.

Gain experience with different materials and systems; practice selection, measurement and preparation methods.

Materials, measurement and quantity records and review comments.

Independently complete materials, selection, transport, preparation and records according to procedures; isolate and report abnormalities under established procedures.

Materials and preparation role

Relevant job authorization and specialized qualifications; complex system experience.

Learn materials, fittings and process coordination methods for complex systems.

Complex system, materials and abnormality handling records.

Undertake complex system materials, fittings, mentoring and process coordination.

Materials and preparation specialist role

Relevant management appointment or enterprise authorization.

Improve materials, fittings and traceability management mechanisms.

Coordination conclusions; materials, fittings and traceability documents.

Coordinate materials, fittings, quality, safety and joint sign-offs, and guide newcomers.

Materials and site supervisor role

Basic procedure and tool training records; safety training.

Learn key points of cutting, threading, joining and safety.

Joining assistance records and mentoring feedback; ability to restate joining and safety points.

Under supervision, assist with cutting, threading, joining and tool preparation; do not independently weld or pressure-test critical systems.

Pipes and fittings shadowing role

Job authorization, safety and qualifications; piping and joining experience.

Gain experience across systems and processes; practice cutting, threading and joining methods.

Measurement, joining and support records and review comments.

Complete measurement, cutting, threading, joining, supports and records according to procedures; report abnormalities under established procedures.

Pipes and fittings role

Relevant job authorization and specialized qualifications; complex system experience.

Learn joining, support, pressure-testing and process coordination methods for complex systems.

Complex system and abnormality handling records.

Undertake complex system joining, supports, pressure testing, mentoring and process coordination.

Pipes and fittings specialist role

Relevant management appointment or enterprise authorization.

Improve crew, process and quality management mechanisms.

Coordination conclusions; crew, process and quality documents.

Coordinate crews, processes, quality, safety and joint sign-offs, and guide newcomers.

Crew and process supervisor role

Basic information and safety training records; safety and confidentiality training.

Learn standards for materials, measurement, pressure-testing, cleaning and safety records.

Records of assistance with organizing, checking and archiving records, and review comments.

Under supervision, help organize and archive materials, measurement, pressure-testing and cleaning records; do not independently determine compliance or disclose externally.

Safety and cleanup assistance role

Job authorization, safety and qualifications; records and compliance experience.

Gain experience across systems and processes; practice recordkeeping, traceability and safety methods.

Measurement, joining, pressure-testing and safety records and review comments.

Truthfully record and hand over measurement, joining, pressure testing and abnormalities under procedures, and manage record versions and retention.

Safety and cleanup role

Relevant job authorization and specialized training; review and corrective action records.

Learn safety, quality, orderly construction, data quality and audit methods.

Review, corrective action, traceability and audit records.

Implement safety, quality, orderly construction, data quality, traceability and corrective actions.

Safety and compliance review role

Relevant management appointment or enterprise authorization.

Improve safety, compliance, recordkeeping and traceability management mechanisms.

Coordination conclusions; safety, compliance and traceability documents.

Coordinate safety, records, compliance, training and joint sign-offs, handle complex and disputed matters, and guide newcomers.

Safety and compliance supervisor role

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes.

United States

2025

The median is the distribution midpoint, not individual starting pay. Percentiles do not identify causal effects of region, project, system, experience or qualifications.

OEWS includes employed full-time / part-time workers and production bonuses, and excludes overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, benefit costs and self-employment, among other exclusions. Employment matrices include self-employment, so the two scopes differ.

Wages (median and percentiles, data for this occupation itself)

SOC 47-3015.00 (OEWS 2025, as presented by O*NET)

Median hourly wage USD 20.36 and median annual wage USD 42,360; 10th percentile hourly wage 16.15 and annual wage 33,590, 25th percentile hourly wage 17.76 and annual wage 36,940, 75th percentile hourly wage 22.94 and annual wage 47,720, and 90th percentile hourly wage 27.78 and annual wage 57,780

United States

2025—2035

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes.

Coverage differs from BLS OEWS point-in-time employment estimates; do not mix them. Projections are not actual job postings. Openings are annual averages over the period and must not be read as net new jobs.

Employment size, growth and openings (data for this occupation itself)

SOC 47-3015.00 (BLS Employment Projections, as presented by O*NET)

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes.

Mainland China

2025

Insufficient evidence: the Chinese sources checked did not provide a national occupational wage distribution precisely matching piping helpers under 47-3015.00. Plumbers, plumbing and heating workers and pipe installers are related searches only. Independent trades are not statutory one-to-one helper mappings, and industry averages, recruitment offers and U.S. data are not substitutes.

Legal environments, management systems and statistical coverage differ; do not combine or convert them. This page's China section records only statistical coverage and visible gaps.

Occupational wages and employment (statistical coverage and gaps)

National Bureau of Statistics average wages of employed persons in urban units (industry-category coverage) and bounded searches

Insufficient evidence: the Chinese sources checked did not provide a national occupational wage distribution precisely matching piping helpers under 47-3015.00. Plumbers, plumbing and heating workers and pipe installers are related searches only. Independent trades are not statutory one-to-one helper mappings, and industry averages, recruitment offers and U.S. data are not substitutes.

Used to check U.S. wage coverage (2025 OEWS) and percentiles. This page's figures cover this occupation itself as presented on O*NET's 47-3015.00 page, not neighboring occupations, and are not pay commitments for an institution or region.

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes.

Used to check mainland China's statistical coverage and gaps. U.S. data cannot be directly extrapolated to equivalent mainland China roles; this page records only statistical coverage and visible gaps.

Used to check O*NET's task, employment and industry presentation for this occupation under U.S. coverage; wages and employment cover this occupation itself.

Needs additional pipe installation, maintenance and pressure-testing capabilities

Pipe and tool identification, measurement and installation assistance

Relatively close: move from on-site assistance to independent pipe installation and pressure testing, adding system and pressure-testing skills

Needs additional outdoor pipe laying, joining and backfilling capabilities

Pipe handling, trench collaboration and site safety communication

Relatively close: move from on-site assistance to outdoor pipe laying, adding trench and joining skills

Needs additional boiler and pressure-vessel fabrication, installation and welding capabilities

Fitting and tool use, assembly assistance and truthful records

Moderate: move from piping assistance to boiler fabrication, adding pressure-vessel and welding skills

Needs additional carpentry and formwork cutting and positioning capabilities

Material handling, measuring instrument use and collaboration across trades

Relatively close: move from piping assistance to carpentry assistance, adding carpentry and formwork skills

Needs additional general construction, demolition and handling capabilities

Materials and tool supply, site cleaning and safety collaboration

Relatively close: move from piping assistance to general construction, adding earthwork and demolition skills

Needs additional sheet metal and duct fabrication and installation capabilities

Measurement, tool use and installation collaboration

Moderate: move from piping assistance to sheet metal work, adding sheet metal and duct skills

Needs additional septic tank and sewer pipe cleaning and maintenance capabilities

Pipe identification, cleanup records and risk reporting

Moderate: move from piping assistance to sewer pipe cleaning, adding unblocking and maintenance skills

Needs additional machinery installation, alignment and commissioning capabilities

Tool identification, assembly assistance and communication about abnormalities

Moderate: move from piping assistance to machinery installation, adding alignment and commissioning skills

U.S. occupation 47-3015.00: O*NET currently presents employment of 45,300 in 2025, a 2025—2035 overall employment growth category of Slower than average (1%—2%), and projected average annual openings of 4,400, including growth and worker replacements. Overall projections do not attribute outcomes to AI and are not actual vacancies, net new jobs or individual outcomes.

Source card | Source register: this page lists O*NET 47-3015.00 detailed information, industry distribution, occupational profile, detailed tasks, work activities, work context, software skills, certification directory and detailed interests, together with BLS OEWS, BLS Employment Projections, ILO, NIST and relevant neighboring occupation entries. Sources are registered separately by use for occupational identity, tasks, wages, employment, qualifications and human control.

Source card | Access dates: data on this page were consulted on official O*NET, BLS, ILO and NIST pages on 2026-09-22. The O*NET 47-3015.00 page marks its data update year as 2026, wages as BLS OEWS 2025 data, and employment projections as BLS 2025—2035 data.

This round, on 2026-10-11, checked O*NET's current 2025 wage median and 2025—2035 projections and added NBS 2025 construction average references. Precise Chinese helper wages and U.S. industry medians remain missing. FAQs, Hero, shared facts and source metadata consumed by them retain their original versions; the whole page cannot be described as consistent. ILO potential exposure is not adoption or job causation; Orders No. 19 / 60 depend on actual lists and jurisdictions; NIST is not a source of safety law.