Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
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 hold steady over the next decade, with about 381 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.
Almost none of this job's tasks are the kind AI can help with or automate.
Tasks AI can't do much of
Start machine, engage clutch, and push and move levers to guide machine along forms or guidelines and to control the operation of machine attachments.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Fill tanks, hoppers, or machines with paving materials.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Control paving machines to push dump trucks and to maintain a constant flow of asphalt or other material into hoppers or screeds.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Observe distribution of paving material to adjust machine settings or material flow, and indicate low spots for workers to add material.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Coordinate truck dumping.
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.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Very similar work+29% pay1,580 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 29% more—$83,178 vs your $64,460 here.
What the move takes
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
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Mechanical
- Reaction Time
- Operations Monitoring
New skills to build
- Operation and Control
- Depth Perception
- Near Vision
- English Language
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
Very similar work+39% pay321 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 39% more—$89,511 vs your $64,460 here.
What the move takes
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
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Mechanical
- Reaction Time
New skills to build
- Transportation
- Flexibility of Closure
Pipelayers
Very similar work+12% pay26 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 12% more—$72,282 vs your $64,460 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
- Control Precision
- Mechanical
- Static Strength
- Trunk Strength
New skills to build
- Installation
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Similar work+2% pay608 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 2% more—$65,776 vs your $64,460 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
- Multilimb Coordination
- Control Precision
- Static Strength
- Trunk Strength
New skills to build
- English Language
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Similar workslightly less pay113 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$59,699 vs your $64,460 here.
What the move takes
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
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Mechanical
- Building and Construction
- Reaction Time
New skills to build
- Auditory Attention
- Depth Perception
- Peripheral Vision
- Sound Localization
- Response Orientation
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Somewhat similar work+6% pay431 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 6% more—$68,183 vs your $64,460 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Mechanical
- Reaction Time
- Operations Monitoring
New skills to build
- Troubleshooting
- Extent Flexibility
- Repairing
- Manual Dexterity
- Equipment Maintenance
Millwrights
Somewhat similar work+27% pay81 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 27% more—$81,814 vs your $64,460 here.
What the move takes
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
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Mechanical
- Operations Monitoring
New skills to build
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- Installation
- Engineering and Technology
- Manual Dexterity