Structural Iron and Steel Workers vs Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

low risk

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

63 shared · 17 different

core competencies

low risk

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters

Side-by-Side Comparison

Structural Iron and Steel Workers leads 4–1

Metric	Structural Iron and Steel Workers	Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters
Risk Score	13.6%	17.8%
Risk Tier	Low Risk	Low Risk
Risk Percentile	1th	3th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	2 / 15	3 / 15
Median Salary	$62,700	$62,970
Employment	65K	456K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Static Strength

Design

Dynamic Strength

Building and Construction

Mechanical

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Gross Body Equilibrium

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Trunk Strength

Auditory Attention

Far Vision

Thinking Creatively

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

28%

total discount

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters

29%

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.

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 +$270(+0%) vs Structural Iron and Steel Workers

Structural Iron and Steel WorkersPipe Fitters and Steamfitters

10th

$42,000$40,670

25th

$49,090$48,860

Median

$62,700$62,970

75th

$82,780$81,900

90th

$107,520$105,150

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Structural Iron and Steel Workers2028–2035

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters2028–2035

20242030203520402045

Structural Iron and Steel Workers has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

$54,185

from $62,700

Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters

$51,774

from $62,970

After adjusting for AI risk, Structural Iron and Steel Workers offers $2,411 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Structural

Unique to Pipe

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Creativity

Regulatory Barriers

Fine Manipulation

Decision Complexity

Structural Iron and Steel WorkersPipe Fitters and Steamfitters

Find transitions from Structural Iron and Steel Workers Find transitions from Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters