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
MonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningCoordinationRepairingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningTime ManagementSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessTroubleshootingService OrientationReading ComprehensionOperation and ControlEquipment SelectionOperations MonitoringMathematicsQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesEquipment MaintenanceWritingPersuasionNegotiationLearning StrategiesInstructingInstallationSystems AnalysisManagement of Personnel ResourcesSystems EvaluationTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesOperations AnalysisScienceProgramming
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionCustomer and Personal ServiceMechanicalMathematicsEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementDesignEngineering and TechnologyPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingTransportationProduction and ProcessingAdministrativeLaw and GovernmentPersonnel and Human ResourcesEconomics and AccountingForeign LanguageSales and MarketingPhysicsChemistryComputers and ElectronicsTelecommunicationsGeographyCommunications and MediaBiologyPsychologyTherapy and CounselingHistory and ArcheologyMedicine and DentistrySociology and AnthropologyPhilosophy and TheologyFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Word
Representative tasks
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsGetting InformationHandling and Moving ObjectsThinking CreativelyPerforming General Physical ActivitiesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsControlling Machines and ProcessesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesAssisting and Caring for OthersProcessing InformationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicScheduling Work and ActivitiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersTraining and Teaching OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationDeveloping and Building TeamsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentSelling or Influencing OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationWorking with Computers
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
26 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Conduit HelperGas Main Fitter HelperHydraulic Plumber HelperIndustrial Gas Fitter HelperJourneyman PlumberMarine Pipefitter HelperMarine Steam Fitter HelperPipe Coverer HelperPipe Fitter HelperPlumber ApprenticePlumber AssistantPlumber CubPlumber HelperPlumber's HelperPlumbing ApprenticePlumbing AssistantPlumbing HelperPlumbing Installation HelperPlumbing Warehouse HelperService Sprinkler HelperSewer Pipe Layer HelperSprinkler Fitter HelperSprinkler HelperSprinkler Installer AssistantTrench Pipe Layer HelperWater Main Installer Helper