Side-by-Side Comparison
Roofers leads 5–0| Metric | Roofers | Pipelayers |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Score | 13.3% | 21.6% |
| Risk Tier | Low Risk | Low Risk |
| Risk Percentile | 0th | 10th |
| Tasks at Risk (>50%) | 2 / 15 | 3 / 14 |
| Median Salary | $50,970 | $48,710 |
| Employment | 137K | 34K |
Skill Comparison
|
Sorted by largest difference
Gross Body Equilibrium
Controlling Machines and Processes
Mechanical
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
Training and Teaching Others
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Selling or Influencing Others
Scheduling Work and Activities
Coaching and Developing Others
Protective Factors
Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement
Roofers
28%
total discount
Pipelayers
28%
total discount
Task Risk Comparison
Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable
Roofers
2 of 15 at risk73%Estimate materials and labor required to complete roofing jobs.
53%Inspect problem roofs to determine the best repair procedures.
13%Waterproof or damp-proof walls, floors, roofs, foundations, or basements by painting or spraying surfaces with waterproof coatings or by attaching waterproofing membranes to surfaces.
13%Apply reflective roof coatings, such as special paints or single-ply roofing sheets, to existing roofs to reduce solar heat absorption.
11%Remove snow, water, or debris from roofs prior to applying roofing materials.
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.
Wage Comparison
Pipelayers earns -$2,260(-4%) vs Roofers
RoofersPipelayers
10th
$37,060$36,840
25th
$45,300$42,320
Median
$50,970$48,710
75th
$64,010$60,980
90th
$80,780$80,710
Premium Head-to-Head Analysis
Displacement Timeline Comparison
Roofers2028–2035
Pipelayers2028–2035
20242030203520402045
Roofers has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Pipelayers.
Risk-Adjusted Salary
Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)
Roofers
$44,201
from $50,970
Pipelayers
$38,189
from $48,710
After adjusting for AI risk, Roofers offers $6,013 more in risk-adjusted pay.
Transition Feasibility
1%
Skill Overlap
Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition
0
Unique to Roofers
0
Unique to Pipelayers
Combined Protection Strategy
Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors
Creativity
Fine Manipulation
Regulatory Barriers
Decision Complexity
RoofersPipelayers