Will “Pick and Shovel Worker” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

88% Chance of Automation

“Pick and Shovel Worker” 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 “Pick and Shovel Worker”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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