Will “Ditch Digger” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

88% Chance of Automation

“Ditch Digger” 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 “Ditch Digger”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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