Takeover Tracker
16%low risk

Boilermakers

Construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries. Align structures or plate sections to assemble boiler frame tanks or vats, following blueprints. Work involves use of hand and power tools, plumb bobs, levels, wedges, dogs, or turnbuckles. Assist in testing assembled vessels. Direct cleaning of boilers and boiler furnaces. Inspect and repair boiler fittings, such as safety valves, regulators, automatic-control mechanisms, water columns, and auxiliary machines.

Higher risk than 2% of occupations
Checking for existing plan...

How AI Impacts Each Task

18 tasks analyzed

Attach rigging and signal crane or hoist operators to lift heavy frame and plate sections or other parts into place.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 6%

Study blueprints to determine locations, relationships, or dimensions of parts.

Risk: 55.0%AI: 70EstimatedTime: 5%

Repair or replace defective pressure vessel parts, such as safety valves or regulators, using torches, jacks, caulking hammers, power saws, threading dies, welding equipment, or metalworking machinery.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 8%

Locate and mark reference points for columns or plates on boiler foundations, following blueprints and using straightedges, squares, transits, or measuring instruments.

Risk: 39.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 5%

Bolt or arc weld pressure vessel structures and parts together, using wrenches or welding equipment.

Risk: 17.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 10%

Position, align, and secure structural parts or related assemblies to boiler frames, tanks, or vats of pressure vessels, following blueprints.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 8%

Install manholes, handholes, taps, tubes, valves, gauges, or feedwater connections in drums of water tube boilers, using hand tools.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 6%

Bell, bead with power hammers, or weld pressure vessel tube ends to ensure leakproof joints.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 5%

Shape or fabricate parts, such as stacks, uptakes, or chutes, to adapt pressure vessels, heat exchangers, or piping to premises, using heavy-metalworking machines such as brakes, rolls, or drill presses.

Risk: 19.0%AI: 25EstimatedTime: 6%

Assemble large vessels in an on-site fabrication shop prior to installation to ensure proper fit.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 6%

Lay out plate, sheet steel, or other heavy metal and locate and mark bending and cutting lines, using protractors, compasses, and drawing instruments or templates.

Risk: 43.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 5%

Examine boilers, pressure vessels, tanks, or vats to locate defects, such as leaks, weak spots, or defective sections, so that they can be repaired.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 6%

Shape seams, joints, or irregular edges of pressure vessel sections or structural parts to attain specified fit of parts, using cutting torches, hammers, files, or metalworking machines.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 5%

Inspect assembled vessels or individual components, such as tubes, fittings, valves, controls, or auxiliary mechanisms, to locate any defects.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 5%

Straighten or reshape bent pressure vessel plates or structure parts, using hammers, jacks, or torches.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 4%

Install refractory bricks or other heat-resistant materials in fireboxes of pressure vessels.

Risk: 41.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 3%

Clean pressure vessel equipment, using scrapers, wire brushes, and cleaning solvents.

Risk: 45.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 3%

Conduct pressure tests on vessels, such as boilers.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 4%

Skill Impact Analysis

AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Information Ordering5%

High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Reading Comprehension10%

High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

AI-Resistant Skills (11)

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Equipment Maintenance78%

Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Adaptability/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Leadership88%

Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Instructing75%

Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Boilermakers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.

Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.

Upskill to Reduce Risk

Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills

DataCampbeginner

SQL Fundamentals Skill Track

by DataCamp

21 hours$25/mo4.7Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Information Ordering

Estimated Impact

-6.9pt risk+$4K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Courserabeginner

Google UX Design Professional Certificate

by Google

~5 months$49/mo4.8Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Critical Thinking

Estimated Impact

-5pt risk+$4K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Courseraintermediate

Leading People and Teams Specialization

by University of Michigan

~6 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate
Strengthens resilience: Leadership

Estimated Impact

-3.5pt risk+$4K/yr salary

We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.

Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.

Alternate Career Paths

See all transitions

Score History

Risk score over 2 scoring runs

+1.1

overall change

Education & Training

Percentage of workers at each education and training level

Education Level

Less than High School39%
High School Diploma22%
Some College38%
Post-Secondary Certificate2%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

None12%
3-6 months1%
6 months - 1 year27%
1-2 years38%
2-4 years9%
4-6 years11%
6-8 years1%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

None12%
Up to 1 month1%
1-3 months2%
3-6 months21%
6 months - 1 year43%
1-2 years9%
2-4 years2%
4-6 years11%

Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis