Occupation · 2026 assessment

Pipe Installer

The Pipe Installer role combines repeatable operations with decisions that require professional context. The index measures task exposure to AI, software automation and robotics—not the probability that the occupation disappears.

Low risk level Search jobs ↗
How risk may change

A forecast estimate, not a guaranteed scenario.

23%2026
29%2028
36%2030
46%2035

Which tasks are exposed

Risk applies to individual tasks—not to a person or an entire occupation.

TaskRisk
Preliminary diagnosis from images and sensor readings25%
Calculating materials and preparing a work plan30%
Installation and repair in an unpredictable physical environment13%
Setting up a standard production cycle35%
Visual quality control of serial production30%
Planning equipment utilization25%
Repeatable physical operations on a line42%
Diagnosing a non-standard equipment fault20%

Task map

AI replaces ↔ AI augments

Each task is positioned by AI capability and the degree of human involvement still required.

  1. 1Preliminary diagnosis from images and sensor readingsAI 25% · human 75%
  2. 2Calculating materials and preparing a work planAI 30% · human 73%
  3. 3Installation and repair in an unpredictable physical environmentAI 13% · human 93%
  4. 4Setting up a standard production cycleAI 35% · human 84%
  5. 5Visual quality control of serial productionAI 30% · human 79%
  6. 6Planning equipment utilizationAI 25% · human 86%
  7. 7Repeatable physical operations on a lineAI 42% · human 73%
  8. 8Diagnosing a non-standard equipment faultAI 20% · human 83%

Why technology can change this work

  • AI improves fault diagnostics and job planning but does not perform all physical repairs
  • serial operations fit industrial robots
  • sensors and computer vision automate quality control
  • planning and maintenance are moving to predictive systems

What protects the occupation

  • work in confined, old and unpredictable sites
  • fine motor skills and safe physical intervention
  • a large share of value comes from human judgement, trust or personal accountability
  • equipment setup and non-standard fault resolution
  • production safety accountability
  • variable materials and low-volume processes

United States · before tax

Average pay and outlook

Estimated nominal monthly pay. The scenario reflects sector, demand and task resilience; it is not a guarantee of income.

2026$6 200per month
2035$8 400scenario estimate
2026: $6 20020262027: $6 40020272028: $6 65020282029: $6 85020292030: $7 10020302031: $7 35020312032: $7 60020322033: $7 85020332034: $8 10020342035: $8 4002035
Find jobs ↗The partner link may contain referral parameters. Data benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ↗

Job search and transitions

Find work with a lower risk index

Compare adjacent paths and open a current search for the selected occupation.

Skills you already have

  • fault finding
  • tool use
  • safe installation
  • manufacturing-process understanding
  • equipment operation
  • quality control

Skills to build

  • smart buildings
  • sensors and remote diagnostics
  • industrial robotics
  • predictive maintenance
  • computer vision
  • manufacturing digital twins
CurrentPipe Installer · 23%
→
Keepfault finding · tool use · safe installation
→
Addsmart buildings · sensors and remote diagnostics · industrial robotics

Sources and update

Updated: 2026-09-25 · Assessment confidence: Medium

International Labour Organization · 2025Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure

Nearly 30,000 tasks; a global assessment of GenAI exposure across detailed occupational groups.

World Economic Forum · 2025The Future of Jobs Report 2025

A survey of more than 1,000 employers representing over 14 million workers across 55 economies.

O*NET Resource Center · 2026O*NET Database

Occupational, task, skill and work-context structure.