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.
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% |
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.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Construction Laborers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
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
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Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis