Construction Laborers
Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.
AI Impact Summary
Construction Laborers faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 18/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 4% of all analyzed occupations. Of 33 analyzed tasks, 1 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
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 Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Construction Laborers 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
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
by Google
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
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.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
33 tasks analyzed
Control traffic passing near, in, or around work zones.
Clean or prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hazards.
Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.
Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.
Load, unload, or identify building materials, machinery, or tools, distributing them to the appropriate locations, according to project plans or specifications.
Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed.
Install sewer, water, or storm drain pipes, using pipe-laying machinery or laser guidance equipment.
Operate or maintain air monitoring or other sampling devices in confined or hazardous environments.
Mix ingredients to create compounds for covering or cleaning surfaces.
Dig ditches or trenches, backfill excavations, or compact and level earth to grade specifications, using picks, shovels, pneumatic tampers, or rakes.
Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt.
Mix, pour, or spread concrete, using portable cement mixers.
Erect or dismantle scaffolding, shoring, braces, traffic barricades, ramps, or other temporary structures.
Provide assistance to craft workers, such as carpenters, plasterers, or masons.
Lubricate, clean, or repair machinery, equipment, or tools.
Position, join, align, or seal structural components, such as concrete wall sections or pipes.
Grind, scrape, sand, or polish surfaces, such as concrete, marble, terrazzo, or wood flooring, using abrasive tools or machines.
Tend machines that pump concrete, grout, cement, sand, plaster, or stucco through spray guns for application to ceilings or walls.
Position or dismantle forms for pouring concrete, using saws, hammers, nails, or bolts.
Spray materials, such as water, sand, steam, vinyl, paint, or stucco, through hoses to clean, coat, or seal surfaces.
Apply caulking compounds by hand or caulking guns to protect against entry of water or air.
Smooth or finish freshly poured cement or concrete, using floats, trowels, screeds, or powered cement finishing tools.
Perform site activities required of green certified construction practices, such as implementing waste management procedures, identifying materials for reuse, or installing erosion or sedimentation control mechanisms.
Mop, brush, or spread paints, cleaning solutions, or other compounds over surfaces to clean them or to provide protection.
Operate jackhammers or drills to break up concrete or pavement.
Identify, pack, or transport hazardous or radioactive materials.
Raze buildings or salvage useful materials.
Place, consolidate, or protect case-in-place concrete or masonry structures.
Perform building weatherization tasks, such as repairing windows, adding insulation, or applying weather-stripping materials.
Perform construction laborer duties at green building sites, such as renewable energy plants or wind turbine installations.
Transport or set explosives for tunnel, shaft, or road construction.
Use computers or other input devices to control robotic pipe cutters or cleaners.
Apply weather-stripping to reduce energy loss.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control traffic passing near, in, or around work zones. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 2% | |
| Clean or prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hazards. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 3% | |
| Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials. | 25Estimated | 43.0% | 2% | |
| Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities. | 46.3Observed | 67.7% | 2% | |
| Load, unload, or identify building materials, machinery, or tools, distributing them to the appropriate locations, according to project plans or specifications. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed. | 54.4Observed | 71.0% | 2% | |
| Install sewer, water, or storm drain pipes, using pipe-laying machinery or laser guidance equipment. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% | |
| Operate or maintain air monitoring or other sampling devices in confined or hazardous environments. | 52Estimated | 70.0% | 1% | |
| Mix ingredients to create compounds for covering or cleaning surfaces. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 1% | |
| Dig ditches or trenches, backfill excavations, or compact and level earth to grade specifications, using picks, shovels, pneumatic tampers, or rakes. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 3% | |
| Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 2% | |
| Mix, pour, or spread concrete, using portable cement mixers. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 2% | |
| Erect or dismantle scaffolding, shoring, braces, traffic barricades, ramps, or other temporary structures. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 3% | |
| Provide assistance to craft workers, such as carpenters, plasterers, or masons. | 64.48Observed | 34.8% | 3% | |
| Lubricate, clean, or repair machinery, equipment, or tools. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% | |
| Position, join, align, or seal structural components, such as concrete wall sections or pipes. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% | |
| Grind, scrape, sand, or polish surfaces, such as concrete, marble, terrazzo, or wood flooring, using abrasive tools or machines. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 2% | |
| Tend machines that pump concrete, grout, cement, sand, plaster, or stucco through spray guns for application to ceilings or walls. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 1% | |
| Position or dismantle forms for pouring concrete, using saws, hammers, nails, or bolts. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% | |
| Spray materials, such as water, sand, steam, vinyl, paint, or stucco, through hoses to clean, coat, or seal surfaces. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 1% | |
| Apply caulking compounds by hand or caulking guns to protect against entry of water or air. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 1% | |
| Smooth or finish freshly poured cement or concrete, using floats, trowels, screeds, or powered cement finishing tools. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% | |
| Perform site activities required of green certified construction practices, such as implementing waste management procedures, identifying materials for reuse, or installing erosion or sedimentation control mechanisms. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 1% | |
| Mop, brush, or spread paints, cleaning solutions, or other compounds over surfaces to clean them or to provide protection. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 1% | |
| Operate jackhammers or drills to break up concrete or pavement. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% | |
| Identify, pack, or transport hazardous or radioactive materials. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 1% | |
| Raze buildings or salvage useful materials. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% | |
| Place, consolidate, or protect case-in-place concrete or masonry structures. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% | |
| Perform building weatherization tasks, such as repairing windows, adding insulation, or applying weather-stripping materials. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 1% | |
| Perform construction laborer duties at green building sites, such as renewable energy plants or wind turbine installations. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 30% | |
| Transport or set explosives for tunnel, shaft, or road construction. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 12% | |
| Use computers or other input devices to control robotic pipe cutters or cleaners. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 8% | |
| Apply weather-stripping to reduce energy loss. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 1% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 26.2%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$46,730
per year
Mean Wage
$51,260
per year
Employment
1.1M
workers
Wage Range
$34,200 - $77,530
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsCement Masons and Concrete Finishers
17%Median salary: $54,660
Higher risk than 3% of other occupations
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
18%Median salary: $51,650
Higher risk than 4% of other occupations
Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
21%Median salary: $57,260
Higher risk than 9% of other occupations
Pipelayers
22%Median salary: $48,710
Higher risk than 10% of other occupations
Helpers--Carpenters
24%Median salary: $41,600
Higher risk than 16% of other occupations
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
24%Median salary: $47,510
Higher risk than 17% of other occupations
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
25%Median salary: $38,140
Higher risk than 19% of other occupations
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
27%Median salary: $46,480
Higher risk than 26% of other occupations
Rock Splitters, Quarry
36%Median salary: $47,460
Higher risk than 70% of other occupations
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
40%Median salary: $35,270
Higher risk than 80% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Construction Laborers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change