Structural Iron and Steel Workers
United States · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34 (figures for SOC 47-2221 occupational group)
AI exposure in published research
Figures below are reproduced from external datasets without modification. Where a dataset does not cover this occupation, the value is shown as — rather than as zero.
Data provider: OpenAI · "GPTs are GPTs"
Time basis: 2023 baselineex-ante estimate
Scored against GPT-4-generation capability.
- Human rater basis
- 0.0%
- GPT-4 rater basis
- 2.9%
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
20 rated tasks · 1 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (5.0%)
- Version:
- gh-main-0471612
- License:
- MIT License · Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
Data provider: Anthropic Economic Index
Time basis: Published 2026-03-05composite index
- Observed exposure
- 4.9%
Theoretical exposure index weighted by measured Claude usage, per the original report's definition.
18 tasks · usage observed in 1 · mean 4.9%
Data: Anthropic Economic Index — labor_market_impacts, CC-BY, https://huggingface.co/datasets/Anthropic/EconomicIndex
AI Changing Work uses Anthropic Economic Index data under CC-BY; Anthropic does not endorse or sponsor this site or its analyses.
- Version:
- hf-lmi-2026-03
- License:
- CC BY 4.0
- Observation period:
- — (not applicable to this release)
- Model:
- — (not stated by the source)
- Definition source:
- https://www.anthropic.com/research/labor-market-impacts
2023 prediction vs observation-based index published 2026-03-05
One card (GPTs are GPTs) is a 2023 estimate of what AI could theoretically do; the other (Anthropic Economic Index) is built from observed usage and was published on 2026-03-05 — that is its publication date, not the period it observed. They measure different things, so the two figures cannot be added, averaged, or ranked against each other. The older figure is kept here as a baseline for comparison rather than removed.
Caution: the Anthropic figures — observed exposure and task penetration — take the Eloundou β as one of their inputs. The two sides resembling each other is therefore not evidence that the earlier prediction came true; reading it that way is circular reasoning.
The Anthropic figures are measured on Claude users, who are not the whole economy and not the whole workforce.
The mapping of O*NET tasks and occupation codes was performed by AI Changing Work. The source figures themselves were not modified.
These indices are not forecasts. Which point in time each one belongs to is stated on the badge on its card.
Task Breakdown
- Read and interpret structural blueprints and specifications
- Erect and align structural steel members using cranes and rigging
- Bolt, weld, or rivet structural components together
- Verify alignment and structural integrity with measuring instruments
About This Occupation
If you work as a Structural Iron and Steel Worker, AI has very limited impact on your occupation. With an automation risk of just 6/100 and overall exposure at 9%, this is among the construction trades least affected by artificial intelligence. The most technology-influenced task is verifying alignment with measuring instruments at 28% automation, while physical erection and welding of steel members remains at 5-8%. This is classified as an 'augment' role, meaning AI and digital tools assist with planning and quality control but cannot replace the physical skill and courage required to work at height. BLS projects +1% growth through 2034, with median annual wage of $61,600. Major infrastructure projects and urban high-rise construction sustain demand. Workers increasingly use BIM (Building Information Modeling) software for pre-planning, but the core craft of assembling steel structures at elevation remains a distinctly human endeavor.
ISCO-08 classification
Structural Metal Preparers and Erectors
Definition
ILO original text (English)
Structural metal preparers and erectors assemble, erect and dismantle structural metal frames of buildings and other structures.
Definition & vocabulary source
Source: International Labour Organization (ILO) — ISCO-08 Structure
License: ILO CC BY 4.0
Official occupational information
- ONET47-2171.00
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
Position and secure steel bars or mesh in concrete forms in order to reinforce concrete. Use a variety of fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, and hand tools. Includes rod busters.
View original - ONET47-2221.00
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.
View original
Frequently Asked Questions
The Anthropic Economic Index puts observed exposure at 4.9%. The OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" rubric puts occupation-level β at 0.0% under human raters. Both figures are reproduced from published research without modification.
They come from two published datasets: the Anthropic Economic Index (labor_market_impacts, CC BY 4.0) and the OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric (MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI). AI Changing Work maps them onto O*NET occupation and task codes and does not calculate exposure scores of its own. AI Changing Work uses Anthropic Economic Index data under CC-BY; Anthropic does not endorse or sponsor this site or its analyses.
No. They are a diagnosis of exposure as measured at the time each source dataset was published. AI Changing Work publishes no prediction of future automation or job displacement for this occupation.
Recent Changes Affecting This Occupation
Mar 2026: Evergreen blog post published analyzing AI impact on structural ironworkers (7% exposure, 5/100 risk).
[Source: AI Changing Work Blog]