What You Need to Know About Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper
Job Description & Duties Help plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, or pipelayers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Life As a Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper
- Fill pipes with sand or resin to prevent distortion, and hold pipes during bending and installation.
- Excavate and grade ditches, and lay and join pipe for water and sewer service.
- Assist pipe fitters in the layout, assembly, and installation of piping for air, ammonia, gas, and water systems.
- Clean shop, work area, and machines, using solvent and rags.
- Install gas burners to convert furnaces from wood, coal, or oil.
- Clean and renew steam traps.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper?
Below is a list of the skills most Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Helpers say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Types of Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper Jobs
- Plumber Assistant
- Pipe Fitter Helper
- Gas Main Fitter Helper
- Sprinkler Installer Assistant
- Helper
Are There Job Opportunities for Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Helpers?
There were about 55,500 jobs for Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 18.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 10,300 new jobs for Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper by 2026. There will be an estimated 9,500 positions for Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper per year.

The states with the most job growth for Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper are Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Idaho, or Hawaii. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper Average Salary
Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Helpers make between $21,860 and $46,200 a year.

Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Helpers who work in Alaska, Missouri, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Helpers in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $26,970 |
Alaska | $48,400 |
Arizona | $32,730 |
Arkansas | $31,960 |
California | $34,500 |
Colorado | $35,060 |
Connecticut | $37,010 |
Delaware | $28,770 |
District of Columbia | $38,000 |
Florida | $28,570 |
Georgia | $28,990 |
Hawaii | $38,660 |
Idaho | $26,780 |
Illinois | $35,780 |
Indiana | $31,470 |
Iowa | $32,550 |
Kansas | $36,150 |
Kentucky | $29,650 |
Louisiana | $35,440 |
Maine | $29,090 |
Maryland | $30,170 |
Massachusetts | $35,510 |
Michigan | $30,710 |
Minnesota | $36,550 |
Mississippi | $27,690 |
Missouri | $39,750 |
Montana | $34,690 |
Nebraska | $35,720 |
Nevada | $29,200 |
New Hampshire | $31,830 |
New Jersey | $35,110 |
New Mexico | $32,300 |
New York | $37,960 |
North Carolina | $29,730 |
North Dakota | $31,460 |
Ohio | $30,880 |
Oklahoma | $34,710 |
Oregon | $32,870 |
Pennsylvania | $35,290 |
Rhode Island | $34,050 |
South Carolina | $29,780 |
South Dakota | $27,200 |
Tennessee | $32,960 |
Texas | $32,780 |
Utah | $33,130 |
Vermont | $28,290 |
Virginia | $30,910 |
Washington | $39,000 |
West Virginia | $31,130 |
Wisconsin | $35,400 |
Wyoming | $33,680 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Helpers
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Helpers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
Becoming a Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper
Education needed to be a Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper:

What work experience do I need to become a Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper?

Where Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Helpers Work

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper might also be interested in the following careers:
- Office Machine Operators, Except Computer
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
- Helpers–Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
Are you already one of the many Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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