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Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers

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 101 openings expected each year.

Step 1

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

Least exposedband 1 of 5
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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.

Step 2

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 14% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Determine quantities, sizes, shapes, and locations of reinforcing rods from blueprints, sketches, or oral instructions.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Space and fasten together rods in forms according to blueprints, using wire and pliers.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Position and secure steel bars, rods, cables, or mesh in concrete forms, using fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, or hand tools.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Cut rods to required lengths, using metal shears, hacksaws, bar cutters, or acetylene torches.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Place blocks under rebar to hold the bars off the deck when reinforcing floors.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Cut and fit wire mesh or fabric, using hooked rods, and position fabric or mesh in concrete to reinforce concrete.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

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.

  • Structural Iron and Steel Workers

    Very similar work
    slightly less pay240 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$95,116 vs your $100,692 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
    • Static Strength
    • Trunk Strength
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Extent Flexibility

    New skills to build

    • Mechanical
    • Gross Body Equilibrium
    • Visualization
    • Depth Perception
    • Far Vision