Pipelayers

O*NET-SOC code: 47-2151.00

Lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains. Perform any combination of the following tasks: grade trenches or culverts, position pipe, or seal joints.

Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Low· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery high
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
Source dataset (XLSX download)
Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745
Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
Source dataset (CSV download)
Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.18
0.09Range of values carried here0.70
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
Source dataset (PDF download)

What kind of figure this source publishes

The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.

Task-level exposure

Exposed tasks only

14 rated tasks · 1 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (7.1%)

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.

Source: OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
Release: gh-main-0471612
License: MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI

Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime.

Task (O*NET 27.2)	βE1 + 0.5 × E2
Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints and coordinating layouts with supervisors. O*NET Task ID 11537	0.5
Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers. O*NET Task ID 11530	0.0
Cover pipes with earth or other materials. O*NET Task ID 11531	0.0
Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue. O*NET Task ID 11532	0.0
Cut pipes to required lengths. O*NET Task ID 11533	0.0
Install or repair sanitary or stormwater sewer structures or pipe systems. O*NET Task ID 11534	0.0
Install or use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, or transit levels. O*NET Task ID 11535	0.0
Grade or level trench bases, using tamping machines or hand tools. O*NET Task ID 11536	0.0
Align and position pipes to prepare them for welding or sealing. O*NET Task ID 11538	0.0
Dig trenches to desired or required depths, by hand or using trenching tools. O*NET Task ID 11539	0.0
Operate mechanized equipment, such as pickup trucks, rollers, tandem dump trucks, front-end loaders, or backhoes. O*NET Task ID 11540	0.0
Train or supervise others in laying pipe. O*NET Task ID 11541	0.0
Tap and drill holes into pipes to introduce auxiliary lines or devices. O*NET Task ID 11542	0.0
Locate existing pipes needing repair or replacement, using magnetic or radio indicators. O*NET Task ID 11543	0.0

β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.

Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page

All O*NET 31.0 task statements (14)

All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.

Task (O*NET 31.0)	Type
Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers.	Core
Cover pipes with earth or other materials.	Core
Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.	Core
Cut pipes to required lengths.	Core
Install or repair sanitary or stormwater sewer structures or pipe systems.	Core
Install or use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, or transit levels.	Core
Grade or level trench bases, using tamping machines or hand tools.	Core
Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints and coordinating layouts with supervisors.	Core
Align and position pipes to prepare them for welding or sealing.	Core
Dig trenches to desired or required depths, by hand or using trenching tools.	Core
Operate mechanized equipment, such as pickup trucks, rollers, tandem dump trucks, front-end loaders, or backhoes.	Core
Train or supervise others in laying pipe.	Core
Tap and drill holes into pipes to introduce auxiliary lines or devices.	Core
Locate existing pipes needing repair or replacement, using magnetic or radio indicators.	Core

Anthropic, "What work can robots do?"2026-09

1.03/ 3· Robot exposure index

0 none3 unstructured settings

Scale, basis and source

Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time

Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks

Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.

Source dataset

The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.

Tier of each physical task

Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)

E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site

Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.

Task (O*NET 29.3)	Robot environment tier
Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers.	E2 structured facilities
Cover pipes with earth or other materials.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Cut pipes to required lengths.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Install or repair sanitary or stormwater sewer structures or pipe systems.	E0 none
Install or use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, or transit levels.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Grade or level trench bases, using tamping machines or hand tools.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints and coordinating layouts with supervisors.	E2 structured facilities
Align and position pipes to prepare them for welding or sealing.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Dig trenches to desired or required depths, by hand or using trenching tools.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Operate mechanized equipment, such as pickup trucks, rollers, tandem dump trucks, front-end loaders, or backhoes.	E2 structured facilities
Tap and drill holes into pipes to introduce auxiliary lines or devices.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Locate existing pipes needing repair or replacement, using magnetic or radio indicators.	E2 structured facilities

Employment outlook (BLS)

Employment, 2025: 33K
Projected employment, 2035: 32K
Change (2025–35): -3.1%
Median annual wage, 2025: $49,000
Typical education needed for entry: No formal educational credential

lowest $30,890median wage across 825 detailed occupations, BLS EP 2025–35highest $559,030

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — Employment by detailed occupation, 2025 and projected 2035

Korea classification links (KSCO)

Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.

KSCO code	KSCO title	Relation	Status
79211	상·하수 배관공	This occupation is narrower	confirmed
89903	케이블 및 배관 부설기 조작원	Related, not a match	confirmed

Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)

ILO occupational description

AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.

ISCO-08 7126Plumbers and Pipe Fitters

The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.

Plumbers and pipe fitters assemble, install, repair and maintain pipe systems, drains, gutters, ducts and related fittings and fixtures for water, gas, drainage, sewerage, heating cooling and ventilation systems, and for hydraulic and pneumatic equipment.

Tasks

(a) examining blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine the layout of plumbing and ventilation systems and materials required;
(b) measuring, cutting, threading, bending, jointing, assembling, installing, maintaining and repairing pipes, fittings and fixtures of drainage, heating, ventilation, water supply and sewerage systems;
(c) installing gas appliances, dishwashers and water heaters, sinks and toilets using hand and power tools;
(d) laying clay, concrete or cast-iron pipes in ditches to form sewers, drains or water mains, or for other purposes;
(e) inspecting, examining and testing installed systems and pipes, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation or other methods.

Example occupations

Drain technician · Gas fitter · Pipe fitter · Pipe layer · Plumber · Ventilation pipe fitter

Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits

ESCO occupational vocabulary

Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.

civil engineering workerESCO 9312.1This occupation is narrower
Civil engineering workers perform tasks concerning the cleaning and preparation of construction sites for civil engineering projects. This includes the work on building and maintenance of roads, railways and dams.
drainage workerESCO 9312.1.1This occupation is broader
Drainage workers assemble and maintain drainage and dewatering systems. They lay tubes or drainpipes to dry out the ground of a certain structure in order to put a hold to imminent groundwater. This work is usually performed under pavements and in basements.
sewer construction workerESCO 7126.11This occupation is broader
Sewer construction workers install sewer pipes to transport wastewater out of structures and to a body of water or treatment facility. They dig trenches and insert the pipes, making sure they have correct angle and are connected watertigh. Sewer construction workers also construct other elements of sewage infrastructure, such as manholes, and maintain and repair existing systems.

Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)

License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)

View original

ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.

France classification links (ROME)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.

ROME code	ROME title (French)	Relation
F1705	Poseur / Poseuse de canalisations	Same scopeprovisional
F1704	Manœuvre du Bâtiment et des Travaux Publics	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.

ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)

Spain classification links (CNO-11)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

CNO-11 code	CNO-11 title (Spanish)	Relation
7223	Instaladores de conductos en obra pública	Same scope
9601	Peones de obras públicas	Related, not a match

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)

Germany classification links (KldB)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

KldB code	KldB title (German)	Relation
34322	Berufe im Rohrleitungsbau - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten	Overlapping, not the same
32252	Berufe im Kanal- und Tunnelbau - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten	Overlapping, not the sameprovisional

Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)

Japan classification links (JSCO)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

JSCO code	JSCO title (Japanese)	Relation
681	土木従事者	This occupation is narrowerprovisional
666	配管従事者	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)

Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources