Side-by-Side Comparison
Construction Laborers leads 3–1| Metric | Pipelayers | Construction Laborers |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Score | 21.6% | 17.8% |
| Risk Tier | Low Risk | Low Risk |
| Risk Percentile | 10th | 4th |
| Tasks at Risk (>50%) | 3 / 14 | 3 / 15 |
| Median Salary | $48,710 | $46,730 |
| Employment | 34K | 1.1M |
Skill Comparison
|
Sorted by largest difference
Controlling Machines and Processes
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Mechanical
Manual DexterityAI-Resistant
Static Strength
Education and Training
Handling and Moving Objects
Quality Control Analysis
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Protective Factors
Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement
Pipelayers
28%
total discount
Construction Laborers
26%
total discount
Task Risk Comparison
Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable
Pipelayers
3 of 14 at risk84%Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints and coordinating layouts with supervisors.
74%Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers.
74%Locate existing pipes needing repair or replacement, using magnetic or radio indicators.
49%Cover pipes with earth or other materials.
49%Dig trenches to desired or required depths, by hand or using trenching tools.
Construction Laborers
3 of 15 at risk71%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.
Wage Comparison
Construction Laborers earns -$1,980(-4%) vs Pipelayers
PipelayersConstruction Laborers
10th
$36,840$34,200
25th
$42,320$38,100
Median
$48,710$46,730
75th
$60,980$58,910
90th
$80,710$77,530
Premium Head-to-Head Analysis
Displacement Timeline Comparison
Pipelayers2028–2035
Construction Laborers2028–2035
20242030203520402045
Construction Laborers has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Pipelayers.
Risk-Adjusted Salary
Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)
Pipelayers
$38,189
from $48,710
Construction Laborers
$38,412
from $46,730
After adjusting for AI risk, Construction Laborers offers $223 more in risk-adjusted pay.
Transition Feasibility
1%
Skill Overlap
Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition
0
Unique to Pipelayers
0
Unique to Construction
Combined Protection Strategy
Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors
Social Intelligence
Decision Complexity
Creativity
Fine Manipulation
PipelayersConstruction Laborers