Takeover Tracker

22%low risk
Pipelayers
vs

44 shared · 14 different

core competencies

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPipelayersStructural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Risk Score21.6%29.4%
Risk TierLow RiskMedium Risk
Risk Percentile10th35th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)3 / 146 / 15
Median Salary$48,710$49,900
Employment34K53K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Performing General Physical Activities
Handling and Moving Objects
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Public Safety and Security
Design
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Production and Processing
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Extent Flexibility
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Pipelayers

28%

total discount

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters

24%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Pipelayers

3 of 14 at risk
84%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.

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters

6 of 15 at risk
63%Set up and operate fabricating machines, such as brakes, rolls, shears, flame cutters, grinders, and drill presses, to bend, cut, form, punch, drill, or otherwise form and assemble metal components.
57%Tack-weld fitted parts together.
57%Lift or move materials and finished products, using large cranes.
53%Study engineering drawings and blueprints to determine materials requirements and task sequences.
53%Lay out and examine metal stock or workpieces to be processed to ensure that specifications are met.

Wage Comparison

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters earns +$1,190(+2%) vs Pipelayers
PipelayersStructural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
10th
$36,840$37,370
25th
$42,320$44,290
Median
$48,710$49,900
75th
$60,980$59,810
90th
$80,710$70,510

Unlock the Complete Head-to-Head Analysis

Subscribe to both occupations to unlock exclusive comparison data you can't get anywhere else.

Head-to-head task automation timeline
"Which is right for me?" personalized recommendation
Career transition paths from each job
Risk-adjusted salary comparison
Combined protective factor strategy
PDF export of full comparison
Pipelayers: Not yetStructural Metal Fabricators and Fitters: Not yet