Occupation · SOC 47-3015
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.
Median wage
$39,270
$31,050–$54,860
Projected growth
+4.9%
Average growth
Annual openings
220
per year
Employed (US)
43,640
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
5 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationActive LearningComplex Problem SolvingRepairing
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionCustomer and Personal ServiceMechanicalMathematicsEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Spreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
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.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.Disassemble and remove damaged or worn pipe.Clean shop, work area, and machines, using solvent and rags.Install gas burners to convert furnaces from wood, coal, or oil.Fill pipes with sand or resin to prevent distortion, and hold pipes during bending and installation.Immerse pipe in chemical solution to remove dirt, oil, and scale.Clean and renew steam traps.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hand tools and basic pipe-cutting equipment — identify and handle under direct supervision on a residential or light commercial job site.Pipe sections and fittings — transport and stage at designated work areas following a lead pipefitter's verbal instructions.Pre-marked pipe lengths — cut and deburr using a pipe cutter or hacksaw under close journeyman oversight in a workshop or field setting.Wall and floor surfaces — drill or chisel rough openings for pipe passage following marked layout lines and supervisor direction.Brackets, hangers, and sleeves — mount on walls and ceilings to support piping after receiving step-by-step guidance from a journeyman.Basic pipe threading equipment — thread cut pipe sections under direct supervision at a residential or small commercial job site.Tools, materials, and equipment — requisition and collect from a supply area using a written list provided by the lead fitter.Safety protocols and PPE requirements — follow consistently during all pipe handling and installation tasks on an active construction site.Verbal and written instructions from journeymen — listen to and confirm understanding of before beginning any assigned task on the work site.Pre-cut pipe sections — lift and hand up to fitters on scaffolding or elevated work areas under direct supervision.
developing
New pipe assemblies — measure, cut, thread, and assemble with reduced oversight, placing finished sections into hangers on residential or light commercial projects.Pipe type and size selection — determine appropriate material and diameter based on system requirements and supervisor specifications for water or gas lines.Rough-in installations — perform for drain, waste, and vent systems following blueprints and local plumbing codes on residential job sites.Leaking or broken pipes — locate, repair, or replace in familiar residential settings, escalating non-routine issues to the lead pipefitter.Valves, couplings, and assemblies — fit to tanks, pumps, or piping systems using hand tools with minimal guidance on standard commercial installations.Layout and assembly of piping — assist pipefitters in configuring air, water, and gas systems, interpreting basic drawings and schematics.Bracket and hanger systems — select appropriate hardware and mount on walls and ceilings, ensuring correct spacing per installation standards.Work progress and material usage — monitor daily and communicate status updates to the lead fitter during ongoing construction tasks.Common pipe repair scenarios — troubleshoot using learned patterns and apply standard corrective procedures with occasional supervisor check-ins.Material and equipment logistics — coordinate transport of tools and supplies to multiple areas of a job site, managing basic scheduling independently.
proficient
Full pipe assembly sequences — plan, measure, cut, thread, and install across a complete residential or commercial system without supervisory oversight.Non-standard wall and floor penetrations — assess structural constraints and drill or cut passages to accommodate complex pipe routing in retrofit environments.Water heaters, fixtures, and system components — repair and replace autonomously, diagnosing root causes before selecting the correct repair approach.Piping system layouts for air, ammonia, gas, and water — lead assembly and installation sequences, adapting plans to on-site field conditions.Valve, coupling, and pump assembly problems — troubleshoot and resolve non-routine failures independently, applying mechanical knowledge and professional judgment.Pipe material and sizing decisions — evaluate and select across a full range of job specifications, applying building and construction code knowledge.Sleeve and insert installations — design and execute support configurations for complex pipe runs, ensuring long-term structural integrity of the system.Critical hazards and system anomalies — identify and respond to on active piping systems, applying problem-sensitivity and cautiousness to protect crew safety.Job-site coordination with other trades — manage pipe installation schedules and spatial conflicts to keep multi-trade projects on timeline and within scope.Inspection and quality checks — conduct on completed pipe assemblies and rough-ins, verifying pressure ratings and code compliance before system sign-off.
advanced
Crew workflow and task assignments — direct across a full job site, matching helper and apprentice skill levels to appropriate pipe installation tasks.Training programs for emerging helpers — develop and deliver on-site instruction covering pipe cutting, threading, assembly, and safety on construction projects.Project material planning and procurement — oversee selection, requisition, and logistics of all pipe types, fittings, and support hardware for large-scale installations.Installation quality standards and best practices — establish and enforce across all crew members, ensuring consistent code compliance on every commercial project.Complex or non-routine piping failures — lead diagnostic and repair efforts, drawing on deep mechanical knowledge to resolve system-wide issues efficiently.Safety culture and hazard-awareness practices — model and reinforce across the entire crew, integrating cautiousness and stress tolerance into daily site operations.Coordination between pipefitting crews and project management — facilitate using office suite and documentation tools to track schedules, punch lists, and change orders.Apprentice performance and professional development — evaluate through structured observation, providing targeted feedback that accelerates skill growth on the job.Continuous improvement in installation methods — identify opportunities and implement updated techniques or tools that reduce rework and increase crew efficiency.Organizational knowledge in building construction and mechanical systems — apply at a leadership level to advise project stakeholders on scope, risk, and resource planning.
Also known as
46 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Water Support Technician (Marine Corps 1171)Plumber ApprenticeWater and Fuel Systems Maintenance (Air Force 3E4X1)Sprinkler Fitter HelperConduit HelperSprinkler HelperPlumbing Installation HelperPlumber HelperPlumbing HelperPlumber's HelperPlumbing Warehouse HelperDamage Controlman (Coast Guard DC)Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Apprentice (Air Force 3E431)Fire Controlman (AEGIS) (Navy FCA)Advanced Utilitiesman (Navy B24A)Hull Systems Maintainer (Navy 003004)Utilitiesman (Navy UT)Pipe Fitter HelperPlumber (Army 12K)Marine Safety Specialist Engineer (Coast Guard MSSE)Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman, Fuel Systems Maintenance (Air Force 3E451A)Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Helper (Air Force 3E411)Plumbing Assembler-InstallerPlumbing ApprenticeWater and Fuel Systems Maintenance Craftsman (Air Force 3E471)Hull Systems Technician (Navy 003556)Fire Controlman (Navy FC)Plumber AssistantPipe Coverer HelperPlumbing AssistantWater Main Installer HelperTrench Pipe Layer HelperSewer Pipe Layer HelperPipe-Fitter HelperWater and Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman (Air Force 3E451)Material Maintenance Specialty (Coast Guard MAT)Service Sprinkler HelperHydraulic Plumber HelperSprinkler Installer AssistantPlumber Cub