Takeover Tracker
18%low risk
Construction Laborers
vs

57 shared · 10 different

core competencies

18%low risk
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConstruction LaborersPaving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Risk Score17.8%18.1%
Risk TierLow RiskLow Risk
Risk Percentile4th4th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)3 / 150 / 15
Median Salary$46,730$51,650
Employment1.1M46K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Controlling Machines and Processes
Manual DexterityAI-Resistant
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Building and Construction
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
Stamina
Static Strength
Customer and Personal Service

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Construction Laborers

26%

total discount

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

25%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Construction Laborers

3 of 15 at risk
71%Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed.
70%Operate or maintain air monitoring or other sampling devices in confined or hazardous environments.
68%Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.
49%Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt.
47%Control traffic passing near, in, or around work zones.

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

0 of 15 at risk
45%Light burners or start heating units of machines, and regulate screed temperatures and asphalt flow rates.
41%Start machine, engage clutch, and push and move levers to guide machine along forms or guidelines and to control the operation of machine attachments.
39%Observe distribution of paving material to adjust machine settings or material flow, and indicate low spots for workers to add material.
39%Fill tanks, hoppers, or machines with paving materials.
37%Shovel blacktop.

Wage Comparison

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators earns +$4,920(+11%) vs Construction Laborers
Construction LaborersPaving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
10th
$34,200$38,030
25th
$38,100$44,740
Median
$46,730$51,650
75th
$58,910$66,060
90th
$77,530$90,110

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Construction Laborers2028–2035
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators2028–2035
20242030203520402045

Construction Laborers has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)

Construction Laborers

$38,412

from $46,730

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

$42,301

from $51,650

After adjusting for AI risk, Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators offers $3,889 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Construction

0

Unique to Paving,

Combined Protection Strategy

Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors

Fine Manipulation
Creativity
Decision Complexity
Regulatory Barriers
Construction LaborersPaving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
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