ConstructionO*NET: 47-2221.00
Will AI Replace Structural Iron and Steel Workers?
Raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks. May erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings.
74out of 100
High Risk
AI Risk Score
74/100
Risk Level
High
Job Zone
2/5
Entry
Total Tasks Analyzed
15
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Hoist steel beams, girders, or columns into place, using cranes or signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift and position structural steel members.
- ▸Erect metal or precast concrete components for structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, fences, or highway guard rails.
- ▸Drive drift pins through rivet holes to align rivet holes in structural steel members with corresponding holes in previously placed members.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (1)
- Verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels.
👤Requires Humans (3)
- Hoist steel beams, girders, or columns into place, using cranes or signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift and position structural steel members.
- Erect metal or precast concrete components for structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, fences, or highway guard rails.
- Drive drift pins through rivet holes to align rivet holes in structural steel members with corresponding holes in previously placed members.
⚡AI-Assisted (11)
- Read specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sizes of materials required.
- Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors.
- Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place.
- Fasten structural steel members to hoist cables, using chains, cables, or rope.
- Cut, bend, or weld steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, or welding equipment.
- Force structural steel members into final positions, using turnbuckles, crowbars, jacks, or hand tools.
- Pull, push, or pry structural steel members into approximate positions for bolting into place.
- Unload and position prefabricated steel units for hoisting, as needed.
Key Skills Analysis
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
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
Quality Control AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Learning Strategies
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
InstructingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Structural Iron and Steel Workers have a high risk of AI replacement with a score of 74/100. 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