Rankings β†’ Will AI Replace…

Will AI Replace Tapers?

45/100 β€” Elevated
SOC 47-2082

πŸ’‘ Tapers have a composite risk score of 45/100 (Frey-Osborne probability: 62%, GenAI exposure: 10/100). With 12,500 workers in the US, this occupation faces moderate but manageable AI pressure. Full occupation profile β†’

🎯 The Verdict

Possible. Significant task automation is underway β€” workers should actively upskill.

With 12,500 workers and a median wage of $65K,tapers represent a significant portion of the US workforce. Their GenAI exposure index is 10%, meaning a minority of their core tasks overlap with current generative AI capabilities.

Risk Score

45/100

Employment

12,500

Median Wage

$65K

GenAI Exposure

10%

⚠️ Top Risk Factors

1.

AI project scheduling and resource optimization

2.

Autonomous heavy equipment operation

3.

3D printing of building components

4.

Drone-based site surveying and inspection

πŸ›‘οΈ Tasks AI Can't Easily Replace

βœ“

Navigating unpredictable and unstructured job sites

βœ“

Fine motor craftsmanship in custom installations

βœ“

Real-time safety judgment in hazardous conditions

βœ“

Adapting to unique building configurations on-site

πŸ”„ Career Transition Paths

Related occupations with lower AI risk and high skills overlap:

Engineers

55% skills overlap Β· $106K median wage

20/100

Supervisors of Construction and Extraction Workers

84% skills overlap Β· $79K median wage

33/100

Extraction Workers

82% skills overlap Β· $56K median wage

29/100

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Will AI completely replace tapers?

Possible. Significant task automation is underway β€” workers should actively upskill.

What is the AI risk score for tapers?

Tapers have a composite AI automation risk score of 45 out of 100, classified as "Elevated".

How many tapers are there in the US?

There are approximately 12,500 tapers employed in the United States.

What do tapers earn?

The median annual wage for tapers is $65K.

What skills should tapers develop?

Focus on tasks AI can't easily replicate: navigating unpredictable and unstructured job sites, fine motor craftsmanship in custom installations, real-time safety judgment in hazardous conditions, adapting to unique building configurations on-site. These human-centric skills will become more valuable as routine tasks are automated.