Takeover Tracker
24%low risk
Sheet Metal Workers
vs

67 shared · 5 different

core competencies

21%low risk
Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSheet Metal WorkersWelders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters
Risk Score24.2%21.4%
Risk TierLow RiskLow Risk
Risk Percentile17th10th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)7 / 155 / 15
Median Salary$60,850$51,000
Employment117K424K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Controlling Machines and Processes
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others
Handling and Moving Objects
Building and Construction
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Sheet Metal Workers

27%

total discount

Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters

27%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Sheet Metal Workers

7 of 15 at risk
86%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.

Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters

5 of 15 at risk
84%Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.
77%Mark or tag material with proper job number, piece marks, and other identifying marks as required.
73%Select and install torches, torch tips, filler rods, and flux, according to welding chart specifications or types and thicknesses of metals.
57%Analyze engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications, sketches, work orders, and material safety data sheets to plan layout, assembly, and welding operations.
55%Determine required equipment and welding methods, applying knowledge of metallurgy, geometry, and welding techniques.

Wage Comparison

Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters earns -$9,850(-16%) vs Sheet Metal Workers
Sheet Metal WorkersWelders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters
10th
$38,030$38,130
25th
$47,290$45,580
Median
$60,850$51,000
75th
$79,620$61,610
90th
$102,680$75,850

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Sheet Metal Workers2028–2035
Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters2028–2035
20242030203520402045

Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters 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

Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters

$40,096

from $51,000

After adjusting for AI risk, Sheet Metal Workers offers $6,016 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Sheet

0

Unique to Welders,

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Fine Manipulation
Creativity
Decision Complexity
Social Intelligence
Sheet Metal WorkersWelders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters
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