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

88% Chance of Automation

“Pick and Shovel Man” 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 Man”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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