Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Career, Salary and Skills
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $42,360 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 44,330. Wage data is published for 194 locations.
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.
O*NET code
47-3015.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$42,360
Hourly median
$20.36
Employment
44,330
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 2.88 | 2.38 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.88 | 2.38 |
| Monitoring | 2.88 | 2.25 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.88 | 2.12 |
| Coordination | 2.75 | 3.00 |
| Repairing | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Active Learning | 2.62 | 1.88 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.62 | 2.00 |
| Speaking | 2.50 | 2.25 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.50 | 2.12 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in TXMedian $41,950 · Employment 7,210
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in NYMedian $52,000 · Employment 4,840
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in FLMedian $37,560 · Employment 4,500
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in New York, NYMedian $52,000 · Employment 4,360
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in NCMedian $43,710 · Employment 3,070
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in CAMedian $47,130 · Employment 2,500
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in Dallas, TXMedian $43,680 · Employment 2,330
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in GAMedian $37,730 · Employment 2,100
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in LAMedian $37,380 · Employment 2,010
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in VAMedian $38,190 · Employment 1,640
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in Houston, TXMedian $44,750 · Employment 1,500
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in Miami, FLMedian $37,520 · Employment 1,260
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- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and WallNational median $49,120
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.