AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 47-2151.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Pipelayers?

Lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains. Perform any combination of the following tasks: grade trenches or culverts, position pipe, or seal joints.

Estimated AI task exposure
5%

Low exposure

V11 weights occupation tasks using O*NET Importance, Relevance and Frequency ratings instead of treating every task equally.

14 tasks have usable Task Rating records; weighted-task coverage is 100%.

Digital/info work

13/100

Physical moat

81/100

Human moat

23/100

Rating coverage

100%

14 task statements / 14 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Grade or level trench bases, using tamping machines or hand tools.
Importance 85/100Relevance 99/100Frequency 67/100Weight 0.86
Dig trenches to desired or required depths, by hand or using trenching tools.
Importance 83/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 68/100Weight 0.86
Cut pipes to required lengths.
Importance 83/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 65/100Weight 0.85
Install or repair sanitary or stormwater sewer structures or pipe systems.
Importance 78/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 60/100Weight 0.82
Align and position pipes to prepare them for welding or sealing.
Importance 77/100Relevance 95/100Frequency 61/100Weight 0.80
Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.
Importance 78/100Relevance 96/100Frequency 58/100Weight 0.80
Cover pipes with earth or other materials.
Importance 78/100Relevance 89/100Frequency 66/100Weight 0.79
Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints and coordinating layouts with supervisors.
Importance 76/100Relevance 86/100Frequency 70/100Weight 0.78
Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers.
Importance 78/100Relevance 81/100Frequency 58/100Weight 0.74
Install or use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, or transit levels.
Importance 81/100Relevance 79/100Frequency 55/100Weight 0.74

Task weighting

Each rated task receives a composite weight: 38% relevance, 37% importance and 25% frequency. Core tasks receive a small additional multiplier. Low-precision rows flagged by O*NET for suppression are excluded.

Occupation scoring

When rating coverage is strong, rated tasks contribute 60% of the digital, physical and human task signals and Work Activities contribute 40%. Lower-coverage occupations automatically rely more on Work Activities.

U.S. labor market

BLS Wage & Employment Outlook

Median annual wage

$49,000

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

33,050

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

-3.1%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

2

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

BLS labor-market figures are separate from the site's AI-exposure model. Missing values mean a compatible detailed BLS occupation estimate was not published or could not be mapped.

Career pivot radar

Safer Career Alternatives

These options are selected from the same 923-occupation model. They favor a similar task/work profile with meaningfully lower estimated AI exposure. They are suggestions for exploration, not guarantees of job fit.

SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

5%

similar low-exposure profile • 97% profile similarity

Median wage: $95,320 Growth 2025–2035: +10.3% Annual openings: 11

similar work profile with lower modeled exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Highway Maintenance Workers

5%

similar low-exposure profile • 98% profile similarity

Median wage: $50,260 Growth 2025–2035: +3.4% Annual openings: 12

similar work profile with lower modeled exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment

5%

similar low-exposure profile • 97% profile similarity

Median wage: $35,830 Growth 2025–2035: +3.9% Annual openings: 52

similar work profile with lower modeled exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Sheet Metal Workers

5%

similar low-exposure profile • 94% profile similarity

Median wage: $61,800 Growth 2025–2035: +2.5% Annual openings: 10

stronger human/judgment moat
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers

5%

similar low-exposure profile • 96% profile similarity

Median wage: $58,970 Growth 2025–2035: -5.3% Annual openings: 1

similar work profile with lower modeled exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Terrazzo Workers and Finishers

5%

similar low-exposure profile • 96% profile similarity

Median wage: $76,170 Growth 2025–2035: -13.0% Annual openings: 0

similar work profile with lower modeled exposure

Personalized career defense protocol

AI-Proofing Plan

AUTOMATE

    AUGMENT

    • administrative support tasks
    • planning and documentation

    PROTECT

    • physical-world execution
    • on-site troubleshooting
    • dexterity and equipment interaction

    LEARN

    • AI-assisted diagnostics
    • digital documentation
    • basic AI literacy

    AI-PROOFING RESOURCES

    What this score does not mean

    The percentage is a comparative task-exposure index. It is not the probability that this occupation disappears, that a worker is laid off, or that AI can perform the entire job.

    New in V11

    Find a Safer Career Path

    High exposure does not mean starting over. V11 compares your occupation with the other 922 O*NET occupations and surfaces lower-exposure options with similar work profiles.

    EXPLORE CAREER ALTERNATIVES
    I am your guide.
    Knowledge is your strongest upgrade.