Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Construction and Extraction Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 47-2152.00
Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Moderate· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-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
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.012
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Group-level value
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
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.18
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-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
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 only30 rated tasks · 5 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (16.7%)
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
Tasks of O*NET-SOC 2010 occupations 47-2152.01 Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters; 47-2152.02 Plumbers, linked to this occupation by the O*NET-SOC 2010 to 2019 crosswalk
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | Claude.aiRaw / share % |
|---|---|
Prepare cost estimates for clients.47-2152.01 | 0.024439.5 |
Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures.47-2152.02 | 0.009916.0 |
Inspect structures to assess material or equipment needs, to establish the sequence of pipe installations, or to plan installation around obstructions such as electrical wiring.47-2152.02 | 0.007311.8 |
Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.47-2152.01 | 0.006310.1 |
Maintain or repair plumbing by replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes, or opening clogged drains.47-2152.02 | 0.00569.1 |
Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.47-2152.02 | 0.00447.2 |
Calculate costs or savings for water- or energy-efficient appliances or systems.47-2152.02 | 0.00396.3 |
| Not observed on any surface — 36 task(s) — These tasks have no row in the source for this release. The 0 in the share row is a display-stage composition ratio; absence is what the — in the raw row states. | |
Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders. | —0 |
Assemble or secure pipes, tubes, fittings, or related equipment, according to specifications, by welding, brazing, cementing, soldering, or threading joints. | —0 |
Attach pipes to walls, structures, or fixtures, such as radiators or tanks, using brackets, clamps, tools, or welding equipment. | —0 |
Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods. | —0 |
Measure and mark pipes for cutting or threading. | —0 |
Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications. | —0 |
Cut or bore holes in structures, such as bulkheads, decks, walls, or mains, prior to pipe installation, using hand or power tools. | —0 |
Remove and replace worn components. | —0 |
Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints. | —0 |
Modify, clean, or maintain pipe systems, units, fittings, or related machines or equipment, using hand or power tools. | —0 |
Install automatic controls to regulate pipe systems. | —0 |
Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches. | —0 |
Operate motorized pumps to remove water from flooded manholes, basements, or facility floors. | —0 |
Dip nonferrous piping materials in a mixture of molten tin and lead to obtain a coating that prevents erosion or galvanic or electrolytic action. | —0 |
Install fixtures, appliances, or equipment designed to reduce water or energy consumption. | —0 |
Install or test gray water systems, such as recycling, treatment, or irrigation systems. | —0 |
Install pipe systems to support alternative energy-fueled systems, such as geothermal heating and cooling systems. | —0 |
Inspect work sites for obstructions or holes that could cause structural weakness. | —0 |
Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment. | —0 |
Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels. | —0 |
Measure, cut, thread, or bend pipe to required angle, using hand or power tools or machines such as pipe cutters, pipe-threading machines, or pipe-bending machines. | —0 |
Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, or fixtures such as sinks or toilets, using hand or power tools. | —0 |
Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes or pipe fittings, using hand or power tools. | —0 |
Anchor steel supports from ceiling joists to hold pipes in place. | —0 |
Direct helpers engaged in pipe cutting, preassembly, or installation of plumbing systems or components. | —0 |
Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing. | —0 |
Install green plumbing equipment, such as faucet flow restrictors, dual-flush or pressure-assisted flush toilets, or tankless hot water heaters. | —0 |
Keep records of work assignments. | —0 |
Estimate time, material, or labor costs for use in project plans. | —0 |
Weld small pipes or special piping, using specialized techniques, equipment, or materials, such as computer-assisted welding or microchip fabrication. | —0 |
Compile information on governmental incentive programs related to the installation of energy or water saving plumbing systems or devices. | —0 |
Determine sizing requirements for solar hot water heating systems, taking into account factors such as site orientation, load calculations, or storage capacity requirements. | —0 |
Install alternative water sources, such as rainwater harvesting systems or graywater reuse systems. | —0 |
Install, test, or commission solar thermal or solar photovoltaic hot water heating systems. | —0 |
Perform domestic plumbing audits to identify ways in which customers might reduce consumption of water or energy. | —0 |
Recommend energy or water saving products, such as low-flow faucets or shower heads, water-saving toilets, or high-efficiency hot water heaters. | —0 |
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. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Keep records of work assignments.O*NET Task ID 23470 | 1.0 |
Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.O*NET Task ID 23460 | 0.5 |
Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures.O*NET Task ID 23475 | 0.5 |
Estimate time, material, or labor costs for use in project plans.O*NET Task ID 23477 | 0.5 |
Inspect work sites for obstructions or holes that could cause structural weakness.O*NET Task ID 23482 | 0.5 |
Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.O*NET Task ID 23459 | 0.0 |
Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.O*NET Task ID 23461 | 0.0 |
Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.O*NET Task ID 23462 | 0.0 |
Attach pipes to walls, structures, or fixtures, such as radiators or tanks, using brackets, clamps, tools, or welding equipment.O*NET Task ID 23463 | 0.0 |
Modify, clean, or maintain pipe systems, units, fittings, or related machines or equipment, using hand or power tools.O*NET Task ID 23464 | 0.0 |
Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.O*NET Task ID 23465 | 0.0 |
Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.O*NET Task ID 23466 | 0.0 |
Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, or fixtures such as sinks or toilets, using hand or power tools.O*NET Task ID 23467 | 0.0 |
Install automatic controls to regulate pipe systems.O*NET Task ID 23468 | 0.0 |
Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches.O*NET Task ID 23469 | 0.0 |
Direct helpers engaged in pipe cutting, preassembly, or installation of plumbing systems or components.O*NET Task ID 23471 | 0.0 |
Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.O*NET Task ID 23472 | 0.0 |
Maintain or repair plumbing by replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes, or opening clogged drains.O*NET Task ID 23473 | 0.0 |
Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.O*NET Task ID 23474 | 0.0 |
Anchor steel supports from ceiling joists to hold pipes in place.O*NET Task ID 23476 | 0.0 |
Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing.O*NET Task ID 23478 | 0.0 |
Inspect structures to assess material or equipment needs, to establish the sequence of pipe installations, or to plan installation around obstructions, such as electrical wiring.O*NET Task ID 23479 | 0.0 |
Install green plumbing equipment, such as faucet flow restrictors, dual-flush or pressure-assisted flush toilets, or tankless hot water heaters.O*NET Task ID 23480 | 0.0 |
Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes or pipe fittings, using hand or power tools.O*NET Task ID 23481 | 0.0 |
Install fixtures, appliances, or equipment designed to reduce water or energy consumption.O*NET Task ID 23483 | 0.0 |
Install pipe systems to support alternative energy-fueled systems, such as geothermal heating or cooling systems.O*NET Task ID 23484 | 0.0 |
Weld small pipes or special piping, using specialized techniques, equipment, or materials, such as computer-assisted welding or microchip fabrication.O*NET Task ID 23485 | 0.0 |
Operate motorized pumps to remove water from flooded manholes, basements, or facility floors.O*NET Task ID 23486 | 0.0 |
Repair hydraulic or air pumps.O*NET Task ID 23487 | 0.0 |
Repair or remove and replace system components.O*NET Task ID 23488 | 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®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (30)
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 |
|---|---|
| Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders. | Core |
| Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints. | Core |
| Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods. | Core |
| Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications. | Core |
| Attach pipes to walls, structures, or fixtures, such as radiators or tanks, using brackets, clamps, tools, or welding equipment. | Core |
| Modify, clean, or maintain pipe systems, units, fittings, or related machines or equipment, using hand or power tools. | Core |
| Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications. | Core |
| Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment. | Core |
| Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, or fixtures such as sinks or toilets, using hand or power tools. | Core |
| Install automatic controls to regulate pipe systems. | Core |
| Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches. | Core |
| Keep records of work assignments. | Core |
| Direct helpers engaged in pipe cutting, preassembly, or installation of plumbing systems or components. | Core |
| Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks. | Core |
| Maintain or repair plumbing by replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes, or opening clogged drains. | Core |
| Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels. | Core |
| Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures. | Core |
| Anchor steel supports from ceiling joists to hold pipes in place. | Core |
| Estimate time, material, or labor costs for use in project plans. | Core |
| Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing. | Core |
| Inspect structures to assess material or equipment needs, to establish the sequence of pipe installations, or to plan installation around obstructions, such as electrical wiring. | Core |
| Install green plumbing equipment, such as faucet flow restrictors, dual-flush or pressure-assisted flush toilets, or tankless hot water heaters. | Core |
| Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes or pipe fittings, using hand or power tools. | Core |
| Repair or remove and replace system components. | Core |
| Inspect work sites for obstructions or holes that could cause structural weakness. | Supplemental |
| Install fixtures, appliances, or equipment designed to reduce water or energy consumption. | Supplemental |
| Install pipe systems to support alternative energy-fueled systems, such as geothermal heating or cooling systems. | Supplemental |
| Weld small pipes or special piping, using specialized techniques, equipment, or materials, such as computer-assisted welding or microchip fabrication. | Supplemental |
| Operate motorized pumps to remove water from flooded manholes, basements, or facility floors. | Supplemental |
| Repair hydraulic or air pumps. | Supplemental |
0.51/ 3· Robot exposure index
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.
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 |
|---|---|
| Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints. | E2 structured facilities |
| Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods. | E0 none |
| Attach pipes to walls, structures, or fixtures, such as radiators or tanks, using brackets, clamps, tools, or welding equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Modify, clean, or maintain pipe systems, units, fittings, or related machines or equipment, using hand or power tools. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment. | E0 none |
| Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, or fixtures such as sinks or toilets, using hand or power tools. | E0 none |
| Install automatic controls to regulate pipe systems. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Maintain or repair plumbing by replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes, or opening clogged drains. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels. | E3 unstructured settings |
| Anchor steel supports from ceiling joists to hold pipes in place. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing. | E0 none |
| Inspect structures to assess material or equipment needs, to establish the sequence of pipe installations, or to plan installation around obstructions, such as electrical wiring. | E0 none |
| Install green plumbing equipment, such as faucet flow restrictors, dual-flush or pressure-assisted flush toilets, or tankless hot water heaters. | E0 none |
| Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes or pipe fittings, using hand or power tools. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Repair or remove and replace system components. | E0 none |
| Inspect work sites for obstructions or holes that could cause structural weakness. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Install fixtures, appliances, or equipment designed to reduce water or energy consumption. | E0 none |
| Install pipe systems to support alternative energy-fueled systems, such as geothermal heating or cooling systems. | E0 none |
| Weld small pipes or special piping, using specialized techniques, equipment, or materials, such as computer-assisted welding or microchip fabrication. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Operate motorized pumps to remove water from flooded manholes, basements, or facility floors. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Repair hydraulic or air pumps. | E0 none |
Occupation information
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources