Will “Dirt Shoveler” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

88% Chance of Automation

“Dirt Shoveler” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #512 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 47-2061.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 37,890.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 18.00
Currently, there are 912,100 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Construction Laborers”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Dirt Shoveler”

Raze buildings or salvage useful materials.
Smooth or finish freshly poured cement or concrete, using floats, trowels, screeds, or powered cement finishing tools.
Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.
Perform site activities required of green certified construction practices, such as implementing waste management procedures, identifying materials for reuse, or installing erosion or sedimentation control mechanisms.
Apply weather-stripping to reduce energy loss.
Position, join, align, or seal structural components, such as concrete wall sections or pipes.
Control traffic passing near, in, or around work zones.
Load, unload, or identify building materials, machinery, or tools, distributing them to the appropriate locations, according to project plans or specifications.
Spray materials, such as water, sand, steam, vinyl, paint, or stucco, through hoses to clean, coat, or seal surfaces.
Place, consolidate, or protect case-in-place concrete or masonry structures.
Transport or set explosives for tunnel, shaft, or road construction.
Clean or prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hazards.
Grind, scrape, sand, or polish surfaces, such as concrete, marble, terrazzo, or wood flooring, using abrasive tools or machines.
Tend machines that pump concrete, grout, cement, sand, plaster, or stucco through spray guns for application to ceilings or walls.
Position or dismantle forms for pouring concrete, using saws, hammers, nails, or bolts.
Operate jackhammers or drills to break up concrete or pavement.
Apply caulking compounds by hand or caulking guns to protect against entry of water or air.
Lubricate, clean, or repair machinery, equipment, or tools.
Mix, pour, or spread concrete, using portable cement mixers.
Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt.
Identify, pack, or transport hazardous or radioactive materials.
Mop, brush, or spread paints, cleaning solutions, or other compounds over surfaces to clean them or to provide protection.
Provide assistance to craft workers, such as carpenters, plasterers, or masons.
Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed.
Perform construction laborer duties at green building sites, such as renewable energy plants or wind turbine installations.
Dig ditches or trenches, backfill excavations, or compact and level earth to grade specifications, using picks, shovels, pneumatic tampers, or rakes.
Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.
Perform building weatherization tasks, such as repairing windows, adding insulation, or applying weather-stripping materials.
Use computers or other input devices to control robotic pipe cutters or cleaners.
Erect or dismantle scaffolding, shoring, braces, traffic barricades, ramps, or other temporary structures.
Mix ingredients to create compounds for covering or cleaning surfaces.
Operate or maintain air monitoring or other sampling devices in confined or hazardous environments.
Install sewer, water, or storm drain pipes, using pipe-laying machinery or laser guidance equipment.

Related Technology & Tools

Fencing pliers
Hydraulic chainsaws
Two way radios
Pickup trucks
Wire stretchers
Smudge pots
Trowels
Guniting machines
Adjustable widemouth pliers
Asphalt saws
Oil distributors
Water samplers
Trenchers
Circular saws
Tampers
Axes
Surveying rods
Rough terrain forklifts
Caulking guns
Generators
Cable pullers
Power sanders
Concrete mixers
Power drills
Spirit levels
Sandblasters
Kerosene burners
Robotic pipe cleaners
Laser measuring devices
Hydraulic rock drills
Pressure washers
Carpenters' squares
Stump cutters
Paddle mixers
Mud jacks
Mattocks
Measuring wheels
Water tank trucks
Coring machines
Levels
Power buggies
Air compressors
Steam cleaning equipment
Gas leak detection devices
Laser guidance equipment for pipe placement
Impact wrenches
Sidewalk sweepers
Ladders
Reciprocating saws
Loaders
Brick hammers
Hand grinders
Nail guns
Mowing equipment
Cutout saws
Wagon drills
Micrometers
Welding hoods
Hydraulic speed shoring equipment
Disc grinders
Saws
Robotic pipe cutters
Spades
Water spraying equipment
Hammer drills
Hydraulic boring machines
Tape measures
Dynamite blasters
Chain saws
Saber saws
Winches
Hydraulic track-guided wall saws
Laser levels
Tuck pointers
Plasma cutters
Salamanders
Punches
Brick carrier forks
Liquid propane torches
Respirators
Walk-behind compacting equipment
Scaffolding
Slings
Brick tongs
Air monitoring equipment
Paint sprayers
Plaster mixers
Hammers
Electric boring machines
Rotary hammers
Weed sprayers
Forks
Swing stages
Road rollers
Shielded arc welding tools
Gin poles
Dump trucks
Remote pipe cameras
Vibratory plate compactors
Fall arrest systems
Rakes
Floats
Pedestal grinders
Jet trucks for cleaning sewer lines
Carpenters' levels
Concrete pumpers
Walk-behind saws
Hydraulic booms
Mortar hoes
Plumb bobs
Cutoff saws
Suction sweepers
Impact hammers
Ride-on vacuum cleaners
Water levels
Oxygen/acetylene torches
Electric drills
Smoke testers
Jackhammers
Laser screeds
Manlifts
Hand trucks
Pneumatic staplers
Snowplows
Tripods
Cold chisels
Post hole augers
Demolition saws
Air drills
Bale hooks
Jig saws
Swing chairs
Calipers
Stucco spray guns
Earth tampers
Asphalt kettles
Motor graders
Theodolites
Chip spreaders
Pneumatic drills
Protective suits
Bosun chairs
Scissor lifts
Power screwdrivers
Belt conveyors
Sewer rodding machines
Bench grinders
Bandsaws
Shovels
Hole cutters
Adjustable wrenches
Picks
Skid steer loaders
Concrete saws
Hoists
Crowbars
Steam jennies
Screwdrivers
Pavement breakers
Torches
Crawler shovels
Masonry forklifts
Floor sanders
Tappers
Forklifts
Temperature probes
Screeds
Scarifiers
Floor saws
Drill presses
Transit levels
Chipping guns
Mortar mixers
Asphalt mops
Sewer cleaner vactors

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