Structural Iron and Steel Workers vs Fence Erectors AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

low risk

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

51 shared · 21 different

core competencies

low risk

Fence Erectors

Side-by-Side Comparison

Structural Iron and Steel Workers leads 4–0

Metric	Structural Iron and Steel Workers	Fence Erectors
Risk Score	13.6%	23.2%
Risk Tier	Low Risk	Low Risk
Risk Percentile	1th	14th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	2 / 15	2 / 15
Median Salary	$62,700	$46,940
Employment	65K	23K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Building and Construction

Gross Body Equilibrium

Mechanical

MathematicsAI-Vulnerable

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Visualization

Near Vision

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material

Far Vision

Public Safety and Security

Auditory Attention

Finger Dexterity

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

28%

total discount

Fence Erectors

25%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

2 of 15 at risk

71%Read specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sizes of materials required.

70%Verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels.

13%Cut, bend, or weld steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, or welding equipment.

11%Assemble or inspect hoisting equipment or rigging, such as cables, pulleys, or hooks, to move heavy equipment or materials.

11%Lift steel beams, girders, or columns using cranes or forklifts, or by signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift or position structural steel members.

Fence Erectors

2 of 15 at risk

74%Establish the location for a fence, and gather information needed to ensure that there are no electric cables or water lines in the area.

74%Measure and lay out fence lines and mark posthole positions, following instructions, drawings, or specifications.

45%Make rails for fences, by sawing lumber or by cutting metal tubing to required lengths.

39%Set metal or wooden posts in upright positions in postholes.

39%Mix and pour concrete around bases of posts, or tamp soil into postholes to embed posts.

Wage Comparison

Fence Erectors earns -$15,760(-25%) vs Structural Iron and Steel Workers

Structural Iron and Steel WorkersFence Erectors

10th

$42,000$35,090

25th

$49,090$39,040

Median

$62,700$46,940

75th

$82,780$57,070

90th

$107,520$74,660

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Structural Iron and Steel Workers2028–2035

Fence Erectors2028–2035

20242030203520402045

Structural Iron and Steel Workers has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Fence Erectors.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

$54,185

from $62,700

Fence Erectors

$36,041

from $46,940

After adjusting for AI risk, Structural Iron and Steel Workers offers $18,145 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Structural

Unique to Fence

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Creativity

Fine Manipulation

Regulatory Barriers

Social Intelligence

Structural Iron and Steel WorkersFence Erectors

Find transitions from Structural Iron and Steel Workers Find transitions from Fence Erectors