Pipelayers
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 shrink over the next decade, with about 26 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
Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints and coordinating layouts with supervisors.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Grade or level trench bases, using tamping machines or hand tools.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Dig trenches to desired or required depths, by hand or using trenching tools.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Cut pipes to required lengths.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Install or use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, or transit levels.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Cover pipes with earth or other materials.
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.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Very similar work+10% pay3,557 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 10% more—$79,594 vs your $72,282 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
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Mechanical
- Trunk Strength
New skills to build
- Customer and Personal Service
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Installation
Sheet Metal Workers
Very similar work+5% pay471 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 5% more—$75,758 vs your $72,282 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
- Mechanical
- Control Precision
- Static Strength
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
New skills to build
- Mathematics
- Visualization
- Design
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
Very similar work+39% pay101 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 39% more—$100,692 vs your $72,282 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
- Control Precision
- Static Strength
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Trunk Strength
New skills to build
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- Design
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Similar workslightly less pay608 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$65,776 vs your $72,282 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
- Control Precision
- Static Strength
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Trunk Strength
New skills to build
- Speed of Limb Movement
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Similar work+32% pay240 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 32% more—$95,116 vs your $72,282 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
- Control Precision
- Static Strength
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Mechanical
New skills to build
- Gross Body Equilibrium
- Dynamic Strength
- Auditory Attention
- Multilimb Coordination
- Response Orientation
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
Similar work+73% pay12,294 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 73% more—$124,706 vs your $72,282 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-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
- Problem Sensitivity
- Multilimb Coordination
- Near Vision
- Response Orientation
- Visual Color Discrimination
Brickmasons and Blockmasons
Somewhat similar work+20% pay245 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 20% more—$86,702 vs your $72,282 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
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Mechanical
- Trunk Strength
New skills to build
- Dynamic Strength
- Extent Flexibility
- Mathematics
- Visualization