Occupations · Construction and Extraction
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
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.
O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 47-3015.00
What it pays
A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage
Pay over time
Median up 75% between 2003 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.
BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.
Where the jobs are
| Metro area | Median wage | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $44,630 | 2,980 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $41,300 | 1,830 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $40,980 | 1,650 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $39,190 | 1,030 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $39,130 | 1,020 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $41,120 | 990 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $42,890 | 970 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $38,770 | 890 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $43,510 | 850 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $37,010 | 740 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $38,470 | 670 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | $42,020 | 620 |
BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation
Typical education to enter: High school diploma or equivalent · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
What people in this job actually do
Ordered by how important the work is rated.
- Measure, cut, thread and assemble new pipe, placing the assembled pipe in hangers or other supports.
- Cut or drill holes in walls or floors to accommodate the passage of pipes.
- Perform rough-ins, repair and replace fixtures and water heaters, and locate, repair, or remove leaking or broken pipes.
- Assist pipe fitters in the layout, assembly, and installation of piping for air, ammonia, gas, and water systems.
- Install gas burners to convert furnaces from wood, coal, or oil.
- Cut pipe and lift up to fitters.
- Fit or assist in fitting valves, couplings, or assemblies to tanks, pumps, or systems, using hand tools.
- Requisition tools and equipment, select type and size of pipe, and collect and transport materials and equipment to work site.
- Mount brackets and hangers on walls and ceilings to hold pipes, and set sleeves or inserts to provide support for pipes.
- Excavate and grade ditches, and lay and join pipe for water and sewer service.
- Fill pipes with sand or resin to prevent distortion, and hold pipes during bending and installation.
- Disassemble and remove damaged or worn pipe.
O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale
Skills that matter most
Importance, rated 1 to 5.
O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale
Software and tools
A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.
O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag
What this work is actually like
Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.
O*NET 30.3 Job Zones
Working conditions that stand out
O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2011-07
How people actually get in
Share of workers by the education they hold.
O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2011-07
What kind of person the work suits
Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.
O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)
What you take with you
Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.
O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale
Knowledge the work draws on
Abilities it leans on
O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale
How this job is advertised
The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.
O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation
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Related jobs
O*NET 30.3 related occupations
Also called
O*NET 30.3 alternative titles
The same work in Europe
| ESCO occupation | ISCO | Match |
|---|---|---|
| pipeline maintenance worker | 7126.7 | close |
| plumber | 7126.8 | close |
Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)
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