Rough Carpenters vs Insulation Workers, Mechanical AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

low risk

Rough Carpenters

64 shared · 13 different

core competencies

low risk

Insulation Workers, Mechanical

Side-by-Side Comparison

Insulation Workers, Mechanical leads 4–1

Metric	Rough Carpenters	Insulation Workers, Mechanical
Risk Score	23.4%	18.5%
Risk Tier	Low Risk	Low Risk
Risk Percentile	15th	4th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	4 / 15	3 / 13
Median Salary	$59,310	$57,250
Employment	698K	26K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Building and Construction

Controlling Machines and Processes

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Production and Processing

Visualization

Design

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Performing General Physical Activities

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Rough Carpenters

31%

total discount

Insulation Workers, Mechanical

29%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Rough Carpenters

4 of 15 at risk

86%Maintain job records and schedule work crew.

84%Study blueprints and diagrams to determine dimensions of structure or form to be constructed.

62%Measure materials or distances, using square, measuring tape, or rule to lay out work.

51%Fabricate parts, using woodworking and metalworking machines.

43%Cut or saw boards, timbers, or plywood to required size, using handsaw, power saw, or woodworking machine.

Insulation Workers, Mechanical

3 of 13 at risk

85%Select appropriate insulation, such as fiberglass, Styrofoam, or cork, based on the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material.

77%Determine the amounts and types of insulation needed, and methods of installation, based on factors such as location, surface shape, and equipment use.

60%Read blueprints and specifications to determine job requirements.

45%Move controls, buttons, or levers to start blowers, and to regulate flow of materials through nozzles.

41%Prepare surfaces for insulation application by brushing or spreading on adhesives, cement, or asphalt, or by attaching metal pins to surfaces.

Wage Comparison

Insulation Workers, Mechanical earns -$2,060(-3%) vs Rough Carpenters

Rough CarpentersInsulation Workers, Mechanical

10th

$38,760$39,450

25th

$47,550$47,480

Median

$59,310$57,250

75th

$75,620$75,300

90th

$98,370$94,110

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Rough Carpenters2028–2035

Insulation Workers, Mechanical2028–2035

20242030203520402045

Insulation Workers, Mechanical has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Rough Carpenters.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Rough Carpenters

$45,414

from $59,310

Insulation Workers, Mechanical

$46,676

from $57,250

After adjusting for AI risk, Insulation Workers, Mechanical offers $1,262 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Rough

Unique to Insulation

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Creativity

Decision Complexity

Fine Manipulation

Regulatory Barriers

Rough CarpentersInsulation Workers, Mechanical

Find transitions from Rough Carpenters Find transitions from Insulation Workers, Mechanical