Structural Iron and Steel Workers

O*NET-SOC code: 47-2221.00

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.

Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Low· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery high
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
Source dataset (XLSX download)
Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.049
0.000Range of values carried here0.745
Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
Source dataset (CSV download)
Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.11
0.09Range of values carried here0.70
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
Source dataset (PDF download)

What kind of figure this source publishes

The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.

Task-level exposure

Exposed tasks only

20 rated tasks · 1 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (5.0%)

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
2 rated tasks are not in the O*NET 31.0 task list; their scores are kept as published for O*NET 27.2.

Source: OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
Release: gh-main-0471612
License: MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI

Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.

Task (O*NET 27.2)	βE1 + 0.5 × E2
Read specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sizes of materials required. O*NET Task ID 11544	0.5
Verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels. O*NET Task ID 11545	0.0
Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors. O*NET Task ID 11546	0.0
Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place. O*NET Task ID 11548	0.0
Ride on girders or other structural steel members to position them, or use rope to guide them into position. O*NET Task ID 11549	0.0
Fabricate metal parts, such as steel frames, columns, beams, or girders, according to blueprints or instructions from supervisors. O*NET Task ID 11550	0.0
Pull, push, or pry structural steel members into approximate positions for bolting into place. O*NET Task ID 11551	0.0
Cut, bend, or weld steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, or welding equipment. O*NET Task ID 11552	0.0
Fasten structural steel members to hoist cables, using chains, cables, or rope. O*NET Task ID 11553	0.0
Assemble hoisting equipment or rigging, such as cables, pulleys, or hooks, to move heavy equipment or materials. O*NET Task ID 11554	0.0
Force structural steel members into final positions, using turnbuckles, crowbars, jacks, or hand tools. O*NET Task ID 11555	0.0
Erect metal or precast concrete components for structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, fences, or highway guard rails. O*NET Task ID 11556	0.0
Unload and position prefabricated steel units for hoisting, as needed. O*NET Task ID 11557	0.0
Drive drift pins through rivet holes to align rivet holes in structural steel members with corresponding holes in previously placed members. O*NET Task ID 11558	0.0
Dismantle structures or equipment. O*NET Task ID 11559	0.0
Insert sealing strips, wiring, insulating material, ladders, flanges, gauges, or valves, depending on types of structures being assembled. O*NET Task ID 11560	0.0
Catch hot rivets in buckets and insert rivets in holes, using tongs. O*NET Task ID 11561	0.0
Place blocks under reinforcing bars used to reinforce floors. O*NET Task ID 11562	0.0
Hold rivets while riveters use air hammers to form heads on rivets. O*NET Task ID 11563	0.0
Hoist steel beams, girders, or columns into place, using cranes or signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift and position structural steel members. O*NET Task ID 20795	0.0

β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.

Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page

All O*NET 31.0 task statements (20)

All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.

Task (O*NET 31.0)	Type
Read specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sizes of materials required.	Core
Verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels.	Core
Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors.	Core
Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place.	Core
Ride on girders or other structural steel members to position them, or use rope to guide them into position.	Core
Fabricate metal parts, such as steel frames, columns, beams, or girders, according to blueprints or instructions from supervisors.	Core
Pull, push, or pry structural steel members into approximate positions for bolting into place.	Core
Cut, bend, or weld steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, or welding equipment.	Core
Fasten structural steel members to hoist cables, using chains, cables, or rope.	Core
Force structural steel members into final positions, using turnbuckles, crowbars, jacks, or hand tools.	Core
Erect metal or precast concrete components for structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, fences, or highway guard rails.	Core
Unload and position prefabricated steel units for hoisting, as needed.	Core
Drive drift pins through rivet holes to align rivet holes in structural steel members with corresponding holes in previously placed members.	Core
Dismantle structures or equipment.	Core
Assemble or inspect hoisting equipment or rigging, such as cables, pulleys, or hooks, to move heavy equipment or materials.	Core
Lift steel beams, girders, or columns using cranes or forklifts, or by signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift or position structural steel members.	Core
Insert sealing strips, wiring, insulating material, ladders, flanges, gauges, or valves, depending on types of structures being assembled.	Supplemental
Catch hot rivets in buckets and insert rivets in holes, using tongs.	Supplemental
Place blocks under reinforcing bars used to reinforce floors.	Supplemental
Hold rivets while riveters use air hammers to form heads on rivets.	Supplemental

Anthropic, "What work can robots do?"2026-09

0.93/ 3· Robot exposure index

0 none3 unstructured settings

Scale, basis and source

Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time

Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks

Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.

Source dataset

The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.

Tier of each physical task

Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)

E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site

Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.

Task (O*NET 29.3)	Robot environment tier
Verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Fabricate metal parts, such as steel frames, columns, beams, or girders, according to blueprints or instructions from supervisors.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Pull, push, or pry structural steel members into approximate positions for bolting into place.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Cut, bend, or weld steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, or welding equipment.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Fasten structural steel members to hoist cables, using chains, cables, or rope.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Assemble hoisting equipment or rigging, such as cables, pulleys, or hooks, to move heavy equipment or materials.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Force structural steel members into final positions, using turnbuckles, crowbars, jacks, or hand tools.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Erect metal or precast concrete components for structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, fences, or highway guard rails.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Unload and position prefabricated steel units for hoisting, as needed.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Drive drift pins through rivet holes to align rivet holes in structural steel members with corresponding holes in previously placed members.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Dismantle structures or equipment.	E0 none
Hoist steel beams, girders, or columns into place, using cranes or signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift and position structural steel members.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Ride on girders or other structural steel members to position them, or use rope to guide them into position.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Insert sealing strips, wiring, insulating material, ladders, flanges, gauges, or valves, depending on types of structures being assembled.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Place blocks under reinforcing bars used to reinforce floors.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Hold rivets while riveters use air hammers to form heads on rivets.	E1 purpose-built robot settings

Employment outlook (BLS)

Employment, 2025: 68K
Projected employment, 2035: 70K
Change (2025–35): +3.1%
Median annual wage, 2025: $62,780
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent

lowest $30,890median wage across 825 detailed occupations, BLS EP 2025–35highest $559,030

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — Employment by detailed occupation, 2025 and projected 2035

Korea classification links (KSCO)

Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.

KSCO code	KSCO title	Relation	Status
78112	강구조물 건립원	Same scope	confirmed
78222	콘크리트패널 조립원	Overlapping, not the same	confirmed

Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)

ILO occupational description

AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.

ISCO-08 7214Structural Metal Preparers and Erectors

The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.

Structural metal preparers and erectors assemble, erect and dismantle structural metal frames of buildings and other structures.

Tasks

(a) marking metal framework as a guide when drilling, cutting and shaping metal stock for use in buildings, ships and other structures;
(b) drilling, cutting and shaping structural steel in a workshop;
(c) erecting steel framework for buildings, bridges and other constructions;
(d) assembling and erecting the framework and other metal parts of ships' structures;
(e) shaping and fitting structural-steel plates of ships under construction or repair;
(f) riveting structural metal members by hand, machine or pneumatic riveter.

Example occupations

Erector, structural metal · Preparer, structural metal · Riveter

Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits

ESCO occupational vocabulary

Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.

structural ironworkerESCO 7214.3Same scope
Structural ironworker in construction install iron elements into structures. They erect steel frameworks for buildings, bridges and other construction projects. They set metal rods, or rebar, to form reinforced concrete.
ornamental metal workerESCO 7223.14Overlapping, not the same
Ornamental metal workers use finishing equipment and machinery to shape and finish fabricated ornamental metal workpieces, often used for the installation process in construction, such as railings, staircases, open steel flooring, fences and gates, and others.
sheet metal workerESCO 7213.4Overlapping, not the same
Sheet metal workers in construction use sheet metal to construct roofs, ducts for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, gutters and other metal structures. They read plans and determine the type and amount of materials to be used, then measure, bend, cut, shape, and attach pieces of sheet metal to create the required structure.

Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)

License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)

View original

ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.

France classification links (ROME)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.

ROME code	ROME title (French)	Relation
F1502	Monteur / Monteuse en structures métalliques	Same scope
H2911	Métallier / Métallière	Overlapping, not the same

Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.

ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)

Spain classification links (CNO-11)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

CNO-11 code	CNO-11 title (Spanish)	Relation
7314	Montadores de estructuras metálicas	This occupation is narrower
7112	Montadores de prefabricados estructurales (sólo hormigón)	This occupation is broaderprovisional
7192	Instaladores de fachadas técnicas	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)

Germany classification links (KldB)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

KldB code	KldB title (German)	Relation
24412	Berufe im Metallbau - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten	This occupation is narrower

Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)

Japan classification links (JSCO)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

JSCO code	JSCO title (Japanese)	Relation
652	とび職	This occupation is narrowerprovisional
525	鉄工，製缶従事者	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)

Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources