Construction Laborers
The short answer
This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 6,031 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.
AI can help with or automate about 7% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Lubricate, clean, or repair machinery, equipment, or tools.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Position, join, align, or seal structural components, such as concrete wall sections or pipes.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
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.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Very similar work+15% pay608 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 15% more—$65,776 vs your $57,446 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Manual Dexterity
- Static Strength
- Building and Construction
- Trunk Strength
- Multilimb Coordination
New skills to build
- English Language
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
Very similar work+11% pay74 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 11% more—$63,700 vs your $57,446 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Static Strength
- Trunk Strength
- Multilimb Coordination
- Mechanical
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Brickmasons and Blockmasons
Very similar work+51% pay245 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 51% more—$86,702 vs your $57,446 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Static Strength
- Manual Dexterity
- Trunk Strength
- Multilimb Coordination
New skills to build
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Design
- Administration and Management
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Very similar work+39% pay3,557 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 39% more—$79,594 vs your $57,446 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Oral Comprehension
- Public Safety and Security
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
New skills to build
- Design
- Mechanical
- Engineering and Technology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Installation
Pipelayers
Very similar work+26% pay26 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 26% more—$72,282 vs your $57,446 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Oral Comprehension
- Control Precision
- Static Strength
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
New skills to build
- Installation
- Psychology
Sheet Metal Workers
Similar work+32% pay471 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 32% more—$75,758 vs your $57,446 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Multilimb Coordination
- Near Vision
- Manual Dexterity
- Mechanical
New skills to build
- Mathematics
- Design
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Similar work+45% pay1,580 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 45% more—$83,178 vs your $57,446 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Multilimb Coordination
- Control Precision
- Oral Comprehension
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Operation and Control
- Depth Perception
- English Language
- Equipment Maintenance
- Mechanical
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Similar work+66% pay240 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 66% more—$95,116 vs your $57,446 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Static Strength
- Manual Dexterity
- Multilimb Coordination
- Trunk Strength
New skills to build
- Mathematics
- Gross Body Equilibrium
- Visualization
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Depth Perception
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Similar work+12% pay381 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 12% more—$64,460 vs your $57,446 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Multilimb Coordination
- Control Precision
- Mechanical
- Trunk Strength
New skills to build
- Physics
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
Similar work+10% pay277 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 10% more—$62,936 vs your $57,446 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Manual Dexterity
- Trunk Strength
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
Similar work+6% pay153 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 6% more—$60,702 vs your $57,446 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Trunk Strength
- Manual Dexterity
- Multilimb Coordination
- Mechanical
New skills to build
- Extent Flexibility
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Similar work+4% pay113 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 4% more—$59,699 vs your $57,446 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Multilimb Coordination
- Manual Dexterity
- Building and Construction
- Static Strength
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Reaction Time
- Auditory Attention
- Depth Perception
- Response Orientation
- Rate Control