ConstructionO*NET: 47-2011.00
Will AI Replace Boilermakers?
Construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries. Align structures or plate sections to assemble boiler frame tanks or vats, following blueprints. Work involves use of hand and power tools, plumb bobs, levels, wedges, dogs, or turnbuckles. Assist in testing assembled vessels. Direct cleaning of boilers and boiler furnaces. Inspect and repair boiler fittings, such as safety valves, regulators, automatic-control mechanisms, water columns, and auxiliary machines.
82out of 100
Critical Risk
AI Risk Score
82/100
Risk Level
Critical
Job Zone
2/5
Entry
Total Tasks Analyzed
16
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Shape seams, joints, or irregular edges of pressure vessel sections or structural parts to attain specified fit of parts, using cutting torches, hammers, files, or metalworking machines.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Examine boilers, pressure vessels, tanks, or vats to locate defects, such as leaks, weak spots, or defective sections, so that they can be repaired.
- ▸Repair or replace defective pressure vessel parts, such as safety valves or regulators, using torches, jacks, caulking hammers, power saws, threading dies, welding equipment, or metalworking machinery.
- ▸Attach rigging and signal crane or hoist operators to lift heavy frame and plate sections or other parts into place.
- ▸Install manholes, handholes, taps, tubes, valves, gauges, or feedwater connections in drums of water tube boilers, using hand tools.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (1)
- Shape seams, joints, or irregular edges of pressure vessel sections or structural parts to attain specified fit of parts, using cutting torches, hammers, files, or metalworking machines.
👤Requires Humans (4)
- Examine boilers, pressure vessels, tanks, or vats to locate defects, such as leaks, weak spots, or defective sections, so that they can be repaired.
- Repair or replace defective pressure vessel parts, such as safety valves or regulators, using torches, jacks, caulking hammers, power saws, threading dies, welding equipment, or metalworking machinery.
- Attach rigging and signal crane or hoist operators to lift heavy frame and plate sections or other parts into place.
- Install manholes, handholes, taps, tubes, valves, gauges, or feedwater connections in drums of water tube boilers, using hand tools.
⚡AI-Assisted (11)
- Conduct pressure tests on vessels, such as boilers.
- Study blueprints to determine locations, relationships, or dimensions of parts.
- Inspect assembled vessels or individual components, such as tubes, fittings, valves, controls, or auxiliary mechanisms, to locate any defects.
- Lay out plate, sheet steel, or other heavy metal and locate and mark bending and cutting lines, using protractors, compasses, and drawing instruments or templates.
- Bell, bead with power hammers, or weld pressure vessel tube ends to ensure leakproof joints.
- Locate and mark reference points for columns or plates on boiler foundations, following blueprints and using straightedges, squares, transits, or measuring instruments.
- Shape or fabricate parts, such as stacks, uptakes, or chutes, to adapt pressure vessels, heat exchangers, or piping to premises, using heavy-metalworking machines such as brakes, rolls, or drill presses.
- Position, align, and secure structural parts or related assemblies to boiler frames, tanks, or vats of pressure vessels, following blueprints.
Key Skills Analysis
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Equipment Maintenance
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Troubleshooting
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Repairing
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Quality Control AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Equipment SelectionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Boilermakers have a critical risk of AI replacement with a score of 82/100. Many routine tasks in this role can be automated, but human oversight remains important.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research