Takeover Tracker
25%medium risk
Solar Photovoltaic Installers
vs

76 shared · 7 different

core competencies

18%low risk
Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSolar Photovoltaic InstallersPipe Fitters and Steamfitters
Risk Score25.2%17.8%
Risk TierMedium RiskLow Risk
Risk Percentile20th3th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)6 / 153 / 15
Median Salary$51,860$62,970
Employment28K456K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Controlling Machines and Processes
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Public Safety and Security
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Manual DexterityAI-Resistant
Control Precision
Coaching and Developing Others

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Solar Photovoltaic Installers

29%

total discount

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters

29%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Solar Photovoltaic Installers

6 of 15 at risk
86%Examine designs to determine current requirements for all parts of the photovoltaic (PV) system electrical circuit.
86%Visually inspect and test photovoltaic (PV) modules or systems.
84%Program, adjust, or configure inverters and controls for desired set points and operating modes.
74%Test operating voltages to ensure operation within acceptable limits for power conditioning equipment, such as inverters and controllers.
55%Identify installation locations with proper orientation, area, solar access, or structural integrity for photovoltaic (PV) arrays.

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters

3 of 15 at risk
86%Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
55%Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.
51%Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.
43%Inspect work sites for obstructions or holes that could cause structural weakness.
39%Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.

Wage Comparison

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters earns +$11,110(+21%) vs Solar Photovoltaic Installers
Solar Photovoltaic InstallersPipe Fitters and Steamfitters
10th
$39,070$40,670
25th
$46,040$48,860
Median
$51,860$62,970
75th
$63,020$81,900
90th
$80,150$105,150

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Solar Photovoltaic Installers2028–2035
Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters2028–2035
20242030203520402045

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Solar Photovoltaic Installers.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Solar Photovoltaic Installers

$38,791

from $51,860

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters

$51,774

from $62,970

After adjusting for AI risk, Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters offers $12,983 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Solar

0

Unique to Pipe

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Fine Manipulation
Decision Complexity
Social Intelligence
Creativity
Solar Photovoltaic InstallersPipe Fitters and Steamfitters
Find transitions from Solar Photovoltaic InstallersFind transitions from Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters