UK AI Job-Risk Index · SOC 2010 5314
Ranks #251 of 293 for AI exposure (1 = most exposed)
How exposed to AI are plumbers and heating and ventilating engineers?
18/100
AI exposure score (percentile across all 365 occupations DfE scored)
Very low#251
of 293 UK occupations (1 = most exposed)
£32,344
median full-time pay (ONS ASHE 2020) · 57,000 employee jobs
Plumbers and heating and ventilating engineers sits in the very low exposure band: its abilities overlap with current AI applications more than about 18% of the 365 UK occupations the Department for Education scored. Lower exposure usually means more of the work depends on physical, practical or in-person abilities that current AI applications do not cover well. It does not mean the job will be untouched by technology.
Underlying scores: AIOE (all AI) -1.14, LLM exposure -1.17 (standardised; 0 is the average occupation). Skill level: Level 3. Pay and job counts are 2020 figures, so use them to compare occupations rather than as current salaries.
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Job titles in this occupation
Titles the ONS SOC 2010 coding index places in unit group 5314 (30 of 42 shown). If your job title is here, this page uses the right figures for you.
plumber · gas fitter · gas engineer · gas linesman · steam fitter · water fitter · gas technician · heating fitter · plumber-welder · bathroom fitter · heating adviser · sanitary fitter · biomass engineer · heating engineer · sprinkler fitter · thermal engineer · ventilator fixer · heating installer · plumbing engineer · sanitary engineer · bathroom installer · coupling connector · heating consultant · ventilation fitter · plumbing contractor · plumbing technician · ventilating engineer · ventilation engineer · plumber and decorator · plumber and gasfitter
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Lower-risk related jobs
Occupations in the same SOC 2010 sub-major group with a lower AI exposure score, highest-paid first. Pay difference is against £32,344 (ONS ASHE 2020 median, full-time). Switching usually needs retraining; this is a starting point, not advice.
| Occupation | Exposure | Median pay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters and joiners | 10/100 | £28,473 | −£3,871 |
| Floorers and wall tilers | 2/100 | £27,376 | −£4,968 |
| Roofers, roof tilers and slaters | 1/100 | £26,989 | −£5,355 |
| Painters and decorators | 4/100 | £25,617 | −£6,727 |
| Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters | 11/100 | £23,492 | −£8,852 |
Occupations with similar exposure
- Plastics process operatives (18/100)
- Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians (18/100)
- Postal workers, mail sorters, messengers and couriers (18/100)
- Merchandisers and window dressers (19/100)
← #250 Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians · #252 Plastics process operatives →
Featured in: The best-paid UK jobs with below-average AI exposure
FAQ: Plumbers and heating and ventilating engineers and AI
Will AI replace plumbers and heating and ventilating engineers?
The index does not predict job losses. Plumbers and heating and ventilating engineers has an AI exposure score of 18/100 (very low band), ranking #251 of 293 UK occupations, where 1 is the most exposed. Lower exposure means more of the work relies on abilities current AI applications cover less well.
How does this compare with similar jobs?
Plumbers and heating and ventilating engineers is one of 8 occupations in its SOC 2010 sub-major group in the index; 2 of the others are more exposed to AI.
How much do plumbers and heating and ventilating engineers earn?
Median gross annual pay for full-time employees was £32,344 in ONS ASHE 2020 (Table 14), across about 57,000 employee jobs. These are 2020 figures, so use them to compare jobs rather than as current salaries.
Which related jobs are less exposed to AI?
In the same sub-major group, lower-exposure occupations include Carpenters and joiners (10/100, £28,473), Floorers and wall tilers (2/100, £27,376), Roofers, roof tilers and slaters (1/100, £26,989).
Where does this data come from?
AI exposure uses Department for Education (2023) AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) scores; pay and job counts come from ONS ASHE 2020. Job titles come from the ONS SOC 2010 coding index.
Source: Department for Education (2023), The impact of AI on UK jobs and training (AIOE scores); ONS ASHE 2020 Table 14; job titles from the ONS SOC 2010 coding index (v7). Exposure is not a prediction of job loss. Methodology · Embed this data
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