Construction Laborers vs Structural Iron and Steel Workers AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

low risk

Construction Laborers

53 shared · 24 different

core competencies

low risk

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

Side-by-Side Comparison

Structural Iron and Steel Workers leads 5–0

Metric	Construction Laborers	Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Risk Score	17.8%	13.6%
Risk Tier	Low Risk	Low Risk
Risk Percentile	4th	1th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	3 / 15	2 / 15
Median Salary	$46,730	$62,700
Employment	1.1M	65K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Building and Construction

Visualization

Gross Body Equilibrium

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Reaction Time

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Depth Perception

Finger Dexterity

Dynamic Strength

Near Vision

Auditory Attention

Multilimb Coordination

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Construction Laborers

26%

total discount

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

28%

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.

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

2 of 15 at risk

71%Read specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sizes of materials required.

70%Verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels.

13%Cut, bend, or weld steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, or welding equipment.

11%Assemble or inspect hoisting equipment or rigging, such as cables, pulleys, or hooks, to move heavy equipment or materials.

11%Lift steel beams, girders, or columns using cranes or forklifts, or by signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift or position structural steel members.

Wage Comparison

Structural Iron and Steel Workers earns +$15,970(+34%) vs Construction Laborers

Construction LaborersStructural Iron and Steel Workers

10th

$34,200$42,000

25th

$38,100$49,090

Median

$46,730$62,700

75th

$58,910$82,780

90th

$77,530$107,520

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Construction Laborers2028–2035

Structural Iron and Steel Workers2028–2035

20242030203520402045

Structural Iron and Steel Workers has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Construction Laborers.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Construction Laborers

$38,412

from $46,730

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

$54,185

from $62,700

After adjusting for AI risk, Structural Iron and Steel Workers offers $15,773 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Construction

Unique to Structural

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Regulatory Barriers

Fine Manipulation

Creativity

Decision Complexity

Construction LaborersStructural Iron and Steel Workers

Find transitions from Construction Laborers Find transitions from Structural Iron and Steel Workers