Skip to content

Prototype—not an official NYS Department of Labor service

Start over

Structural Iron and Steel 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 shrink over the next decade, with about 240 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
least exposedmost exposed

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 5% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Read specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sizes of materials required.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Fasten structural steel members to hoist cables, using chains, cables, or rope.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Hoist steel beams, girders, or columns into place, using cranes or signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift and position structural steel members.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels.

    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.

  • Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers

    Very similar work
    +6% pay101 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 6% more—$100,692 vs your $95,116 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

    • Design
  • Riggers

    Similar work
    +14% pay90 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 14% more—$108,583 vs your $95,116 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
    • Mechanical
    • Depth Perception
    • Visualization
    • Control Precision

    New skills to build

    • Production and Processing
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Sales and Marketing
    • Design
  • Brickmasons and Blockmasons

    Somewhat similar work
    slightly less pay245 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$86,702 vs your $95,116 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
    • Trunk Strength
    • Static Strength
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Visualization

    New skills to build

    • Production and Processing
    • Mathematics