Side-by-Side Comparison
Roofers leads 4–1| Metric | Sheet Metal Workers | Roofers |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Score | 24.2% | 13.3% |
| Risk Tier | Low Risk | Low Risk |
| Risk Percentile | 17th | 0th |
| Tasks at Risk (>50%) | 7 / 15 | 2 / 15 |
| Median Salary | $60,850 | $50,970 |
| Employment | 117K | 137K |
Skill Comparison
|
Sorted by largest difference
Building and Construction
Gross Body Equilibrium
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Handling and Moving Objects
Mechanical
Customer and Personal Service
Production and Processing
Coaching and Developing Others
Visualization
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
Extent Flexibility
Protective Factors
Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement
Sheet Metal Workers
27%
total discount
Roofers
28%
total discount
Task Risk Comparison
Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable
Sheet Metal Workers
7 of 15 at risk86%Develop or lay out patterns, using computerized metalworking equipment.
86%Verify that heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are designed, installed, and calibrated in accordance with green certification standards, such as those of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
85%Select gauges or types of sheet metal or nonmetallic material, according to product specifications.
84%Convert blueprints into shop drawings to be followed in the construction or assembly of sheet metal products.
63%Inspect individual parts, assemblies, or installations, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, scales, or micrometers.
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.
Wage Comparison
Roofers earns -$9,880(-16%) vs Sheet Metal Workers
Sheet Metal WorkersRoofers
10th
$38,030$37,060
25th
$47,290$45,300
Median
$60,850$50,970
75th
$79,620$64,010
90th
$102,680$80,780
Premium Head-to-Head Analysis
Displacement Timeline Comparison
Sheet Metal Workers2028–2035
Roofers2028–2035
20242030203520402045
Roofers has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Sheet Metal Workers.
Risk-Adjusted Salary
Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)
Sheet Metal Workers
$46,112
from $60,850
Roofers
$44,201
from $50,970
After adjusting for AI risk, Sheet Metal Workers offers $1,911 more in risk-adjusted pay.
Transition Feasibility
1%
Skill Overlap
Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition
0
Unique to Sheet
0
Unique to Roofers
Combined Protection Strategy
Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors
Regulatory Barriers
Fine Manipulation
Social Intelligence
Decision Complexity
Sheet Metal WorkersRoofers