Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
SOC code 47-3015 · O*NET-SOC 47-3015.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$42,360
a year
Hourly
$20.36
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$43,730
$21.03 per hour
Middle 50%
$36,940 – $47,720
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$33,590 – $57,780
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
44,330
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $33,590
- $16.15/hr
- 25th percentile
- $36,940
- $17.76/hr
- Median percentile
- $42,360
- $20.36/hr
- 75th percentile
- $47,720
- $22.94/hr
- 90th percentile
- $57,780
- $27.78/hr
What do helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Fit or assist in fitting valves, couplings, or assemblies to tanks, pumps, or systems, using hand tools.
- Mount brackets and hangers on walls and ceilings to hold pipes, and set sleeves or inserts to provide support for pipes.
- Perform rough-ins, repair and replace fixtures and water heaters, and locate, repair, or remove leaking or broken pipes.
- Cut pipe and lift up to fitters.
- Measure, cut, thread and assemble new pipe, placing the assembled pipe in hangers or other supports.
- Assist pipe fitters in the layout, assembly, and installation of piping for air, ammonia, gas, and water systems.
- Requisition tools and equipment, select type and size of pipe, and collect and transport materials and equipment to work site.
- Disassemble and remove damaged or worn pipe.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 49% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)49%
- Post-Secondary Certificate27%
- Master's Degree10%
- Some College Courses9%
Common questions
How much does a helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn?
The national median is $42,360 a year. The full range runs from $33,590 at the 10th percentile to $57,780 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening2.9/5
- Critical Thinking2.9/5
- Monitoring2.9/5
- Active Learning2.6/5
- Speaking2.5/5
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction4.5/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
- Mechanical3.6/5
- Mathematics3.5/5
- English Language3.3/5
- Administration and Management3.1/5
- Design2.9/5
- Engineering and Technology2.9/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving, Repairing, Social Perceptiveness.