Which construction jobs are safest from AI?

The safest construction jobs include Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other (28/100), Extraction Workers, All Other (28/100), Solar Energy Installation Managers (27/100). These roles require human judgment, creativity, or physical skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

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Will AI Replace Construction Jobs?

Q: Will AI replace construction jobs?

Based on our analysis of 65 occupations in Construction, the average AI replacement risk is 69/100. 37 jobs face high risk (70+), while 5 jobs have low risk (under 30). The impact varies significantly by specific role and the types of tasks involved.

Q: Which construction jobs are most at risk from AI?

The highest-risk construction jobs include Pile Driver Operators (86/100), Insulation Workers, Mechanical (86/100), Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators (85/100). These roles involve tasks that AI can increasingly automate.

We analyzed 65 occupations in construction to determine their AI replacement risk. The average risk score is 69/100.

Jobs Analyzed

69/100

Average Risk

High Risk (70+)

Low Risk (<30)

Risk Distribution

Critical (80-100)

High (60-79)

Moderate (40-59)

Low (20-39)

Very Low (0-19)

⚠️ Highest Risk Construction Jobs

Pile Driver Operators

Operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads, or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls...

Insulation Workers, Mechanical

Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain tempe...

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways...

Helpers--Electricians

Help electricians by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or to...

Carpenters

Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete for...

Brickmasons and Blockmasons

Lay and bind building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block, and terra-co...

Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall

Line and cover structures with insulating materials. May work with batt, roll, or blown insulation materials.......

Painters, Construction and Maintenance

Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May r...

Sheet Metal Workers

Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, a...

Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters

Help brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, or tile and marble setters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties...

Helpers--Roofers

Help roofers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, ...

Tile and Stone Setters

Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.......

+ 25 more high-risk jobs in Construction

✅ Safest Construction Jobs

Solar Energy Installation Managers

Direct work crews installing residential or commercial solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.......

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.......

Construction and Related Workers, All Other

All construction and related workers not listed separately.......

Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other

All underground mining machine operators not listed separately.......

Extraction Workers, All Other

All extraction workers not listed separately.......

All Construction Jobs by AI Risk

Job Title	Risk Score	Risk Level
Pile Driver Operators	86	Critical
Insulation Workers, Mechanical	86	Critical
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators	85	Critical
Helpers--Electricians	85	Critical
Carpenters	84	Critical
Brickmasons and Blockmasons	84	Critical
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall	84	Critical
Painters, Construction and Maintenance	84	Critical
Sheet Metal Workers	84	Critical
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters	84	Critical
Helpers--Roofers	84	Critical
Tile and Stone Setters	83	Critical
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers	83	Critical
Helpers--Carpenters	83	Critical
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	83	Critical
Boilermakers	82	Critical
Stonemasons	82	Critical
Paperhangers	82	Critical
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers	81	Critical
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters	81	Critical
Roofers	80	Critical
Solar Photovoltaic Installers	80	Critical
Weatherization Installers and Technicians	79	High
Helpers--Extraction Workers	78	High
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas	77	High
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas	77	High
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas	76	High
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining	76	High
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas	75	High
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas	75	High
Tapers	74	High
Structural Iron and Steel Workers	74	High
Rock Splitters, Quarry	74	High
Fence Erectors	73	High
Plasterers and Stucco Masons	71	High
Continuous Mining Machine Operators	71	High
Highway Maintenance Workers	70	High
Segmental Pavers	69	High
Roof Bolters, Mining	69	High
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining	69	High
Terrazzo Workers and Finishers	68	High
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons	67	High
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers	66	High
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians	65	High
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers	65	High
Construction Laborers	64	High
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators	64	High
Energy Auditors	64	High
Electricians	63	High
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	63	High
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners	63	High
Pipelayers	60	High
Construction and Building Inspectors	60	High
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers	54	Medium
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators	53	Medium
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles	48	Medium
Floor Sanders and Finishers	48	Medium
Carpet Installers	47	Medium
Glaziers	47	Medium
Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other	39	Low
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers	28	Low
Construction and Related Workers, All Other	28	Low
Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other	28	Low
Extraction Workers, All Other	28	Low
Solar Energy Installation Managers	27	Low

Future-Proof Your Construction Career

With an average risk score of 69/100, construction workers should prioritize building AI-complementary skills.

Browse AI Courses on Coursera →Skill Up on Udemy →

Frequently Asked Questions

Will AI replace construction jobs?

Based on our analysis of 65 occupations, the average AI replacement risk in construction is 69/100. 37 jobs face high risk, while 5 jobs have low risk. The impact varies significantly depending on the specific tasks involved in each role.

Which construction jobs are most at risk?

The highest-risk jobs include Pile Driver Operators (86/100), Insulation Workers, Mechanical (86/100), Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators (85/100). These roles involve repetitive or data-processing tasks that AI can increasingly handle.

How can construction workers prepare for AI?

Focus on skills that AI struggles with: creative problem-solving, emotional intelligence, complex physical tasks, and strategic thinking. Consider learning to work alongside AI tools rather than competing with them. Upskilling in data literacy and AI fundamentals can also help you leverage these technologies in your current role.