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Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

Construction, Maintenance & Repairlowaugment
BLS 2024-34: +1%
Median Wage: $48,000
Employment: 430K

Overall Exposure

15+8

2025 vs 2023

Theoretical Exposure

26

What AI could do

Observed Exposure

7

What AI actually does

Automation Risk Score

11

Displacement risk

3-Year Outlook (2025 โ†’ 2028)

Projected changes in AI automation metrics over the next 3 years based on estimated data.

Overall Exposure

15โ†’27
+12

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Theoretical Exposure

26โ†’39
+13

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Observed Exposure

7โ†’14
+7

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Automation Risk

11โ†’20
+9

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)

Detailed Metrics Table

YearOverallTheoreticalObservedRiskData Type
202371635actual
2024112158actual
20251526711actual
202619311014estimated
202723351217estimated
202827391420estimated

Task Breakdown

Interpret welding blueprints
30%ฮฒ 0.5
Perform manual welding operations
12%ฮฒ 0
Inspect welds for quality
45%ฮฒ 0.5
Maintain welding equipment
15%ฮฒ 0

About This Occupation

If you work as a Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, AI is reshaping your profession. With an automation risk of 11/100 and overall exposure at 15%, this role faces low transformation. The highest-impact area is inspect welds for quality at 45% automation. This is classified as an 'augment' role. BLS projects +1% growth through 2034. Robotic welding is growing in manufacturing, but skilled manual welders remain in high demand for custom and field work.

Frequently Asked Questions

With an automation risk score of 11%, Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers has a low risk of AI replacement. Most tasks in this role require skills that are difficult for AI to replicate, such as complex decision-making, physical dexterity, or deep interpersonal interaction. AI is more likely to serve as a supportive tool.

The AI automation risk score for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers is 11% (2025 data). Overall AI exposure is 15%, with 26% theoretical exposure and 7% observed exposure. The risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is +6 points.

The tasks with the highest automation potential for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers are: Inspect welds for quality (45%), Interpret welding blueprints (30%), Maintain welding equipment (15%). These rates reflect how much of each task current AI systems can handle, based on research data from Anthropic and academic sources.

The BLS projects +1% employment change for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers from 2024 to 2034. Combined with an overall AI exposure of 15%, this occupation is experiencing both traditional labor market shifts and AI-driven transformation. Workers should monitor both employment trends and AI capability growth.

Since AI primarily augments capabilities in this role, professionals in Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers should embrace AI as a productivity multiplier. Focus on learning to use AI tools effectively, developing higher-order analytical and creative skills, and positioning yourself as someone who can leverage AI to deliver greater value.

Recent AI Impact Changes

Mar 2026: Brookings study on worker retraining limits: historical programs like JTPA showed no significant employment improvement. Physical trades may be more resilient than office roles.

[Source: Brookings Institution]

Mar 2026: Published blog: Will AI Replace Tool Makers? 15% exposure, precision craft remains human.

[Source: ACW Blog]

Mar 2026: Updated blog to cover welding inspectors and AI-powered inspection systems

[Source: Blog Wave 19]