What Does it Take to Be a Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper?
Occupation Description 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.
A Day in the Life of a Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper
- Immerse pipe in chemical solution to remove dirt, oil, and scale.
- Clean and renew steam traps.
- Requisition tools and equipment, select type and size of pipe, and collect and transport materials and equipment to work site.
- Cut or drill holes in walls or floors to accommodate the passage of pipes.
- Excavate and grade ditches, and lay and join pipe for water and sewer service.
- Mount brackets and hangers on walls and ceilings to hold pipes, and set sleeves or inserts to provide support for pipes.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper?
These are the skills Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Helpers say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Irrigation Technician
- Sprinkler Installer Assistant
- Gas Fitter
- Sewer Pipe Layer Helper
- Fire Sprinkler Fitter
Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper Job Outlook
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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 9,500 job openings in this field each 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
The salary for Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Helpers ranges between about $21,860 and $46,200 a year.

Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Helpers who work in Alaska, Missouri, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
How much do Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Helpers make 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 |
What Tools & Technology do Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Helpers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Helpers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
Becoming a Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper
What education is needed to be a Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Helpers Work

The table below shows the approximate number of Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Helpers employed by various industries.

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter Helper may also be interested in:
- 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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