Somewhat Resilient
Last Update: 6/19/2026
AI Resilience Score for Construction Helpers:
37.8%
Median Score
Meaningful human contribution
Measures the parts of the occupation that still require a human touch. This score averages data from up to four AI exposure datasets, focusing on the role’s resilience against automation.
Med
Long-term employer demand
Predicts the health of the job market for this role through 2034. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it balances projected annual job openings (60%) with overall employment growth (40%).
Low
Sustained economic opportunity
Measures future earning potential and career flexibility. This score is a blend of total projected labor income (67%) and the role’s inherent ability to adapt to economic and technological shifts (33%).
Low
This reflects the reliability of your score based on the number of data sources available for this career and how closely those sources agree on the outlook. A higher confidence means more consistent evidence from labor experts and AI models.
There are a reasonable number of sources for this result, but there is some disagreement between them.
Contributing sources
AI Resilience Report forHelpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
$46,480 median salary•1,400 annual openings•SOC Code: 47-3011.00
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters are somewhat less resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 5 sources.
This career earns a "Somewhat Resilient" label because the physical, hands-on work of a masonry helper is genuinely hard for robots and AI to replicate right now, but the field is clearly starting to change. Brick-laying robots and AI-powered safety tools are already showing up on jobsites, meaning helpers who adapt and learn to work alongside smart technology will have a real advantage over those who don't.
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View analysisChat with CoachLatest newsMore career infoAnalysisChatNewsMoreThis role is somewhat resilient
This career earns a "Somewhat Resilient" label because the physical, hands-on work of a masonry helper is genuinely hard for robots and AI to replicate right now, but the field is clearly starting to change. Brick-laying robots and AI-powered safety tools are already showing up on jobsites, meaning helpers who adapt and learn to work alongside smart technology will have a real advantage over those who don't.
Read full analysisAnalysis of Current AI Resilience
Construction Helpers
Updated Quarterly
How is AI changing Construction Helpers jobs?
If you're considering work as a masonry or tile helper, here's some good news: the physical, hands-on parts of your job — carrying blocks, mixing mortar, sweeping up grout — are some of the hardest things for AI and robots to do well. Most "AI in construction" today is really software for planning and paperwork, not robots replacing helpers. A trade publication for the Mason Contractors Association of America explains that AI is mostly being used for 3D modeling, project planning, predicting material needs, and back-office tasks like scheduling and invoicing [1].
Newer tools point toward augmentation rather than replacement — MCAA's first AI-focused partner, Ironsite, makes smart hard hats with cameras that send footage to AI so project managers can see what got installed and where there might be a safety concern [1]. On the hardware side, brick-laying robots like SAM and material-lifting machines exist, but as one expert explains, most mobile construction robots can do only one task and need a human operator to guide them, because jobsites are messy, three-dimensional environments with no standard rules [2]. Even McKinsey's 2025 outlook estimates large-scale humanoid robot use in construction is roughly a decade away [3].
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for Construction Helpers?
Adoption of physical robots in masonry is likely to be slow but steady. The biggest push is a giant labor shortage — Associated Builders and Contractors projects the U.S. will need approximately 349,000 net new construction workers in 2026 and 456,000 more in 2027 just to keep up with demand [4], and the BLS still projects about 20,700 openings each year for masonry workers over the decade [5]. That shortage is why contractors are turning to AI to protect thin profit margins and get more value out of existing crews [6].
But adoption is slowed by high robot costs, the unpredictable nature of jobsites, safety rules, and a tradition-based culture. For young workers, that means helper jobs aren't disappearing — instead, you'll likely work alongside smart tools, and the human skills of judgment, dexterity, and teamwork will remain valuable.
Sources
Will AI replace Construction Helpers?
Not entirely. We think AI will take over some tasks, but not the whole job.
Our 37.8% AI Resilience Score reflects a real tension here. The physical, hands-on work of a masonry helper, carrying blocks, mixing mortar, cleaning up grout, remains genuinely hard for machines to replicate on a messy, unpredictable jobsite. Even brick-laying robots that do exist can typically handle only one task and still need a human operator to guide them [2]. Large-scale humanoid robots in construction are estimated to be roughly a decade away [3].
Where AI is making inroads is mostly in planning and paperwork: 3D modeling, scheduling, material forecasting, and safety monitoring through smart cameras [1]. Those changes affect project managers more than helpers on the ground. The bigger story for helpers is actually a labor shortage, not a robot takeover. The construction industry is projected to need hundreds of thousands of net new workers in the next few years just to keep up with demand [4], which is why contractors are leaning on AI to get more out of existing crews rather than replace them.
The economic picture is less rosy, with lower projected wages and limited job growth over the decade. But if you go in with your eyes open, build strong trade skills, and stay curious about new tools, this work is not going away anytime soon.
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Latest AI news for Construction Helpers
These articles highlight the resilience of Helpers in the masonry field amidst AI advancements. For instance, while 45% of tasks may be automated by 2030, brickmasons and blockmasons are expected to adapt well, as seen with innovations like the Hadrian X® robot which enhances efficiency rather than replaces workers. Additionally, AI can streamline administrative tasks, allowing skilled workers to focus on higher-paying roles. This suggests a future where Helpers can leverage technology to elevate their careers rather than face displacement.
What AI Can Do For the Masonry Industry
masonrymagazine.com • 6/20/2026
Australia-based FBR has developed the Hadrian X® robot to lay the structural brick and block walls, using AI models for quality control and dimensioning. Read more
AI & Masonry Jobs: Will AI Replace Helpers Brickmasons?
myjobvsai.com • 6/20/2026
AI impact on masonry helpers : 45% tasks automated by 2030. Learn the timeline, affected roles, and how to transition to higher-paying mason jobs.
How Will AI Affect Construction Working Class? What to ...
careerhub.appstate.edu • 6/20/2026
Jul 29, 2025 — AI can help improve efficiency, handle administrative tasks, reduce costs, and create new opportunities for skilled workers in the construction ... Read more
Brickmasons and Blockmasons & AI in 2026
www.airesilience.org • 6/20/2026
Brickmasons and Blockmasons are somewhat more resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 6 sources. The career of brickmasons ... Read more
Study: AI Chatbots Could Impact Up to 80% of the Labor Market ...
www.extremetech.com • 6/20/2026
OpenAI, the company behind the popular chatbot ChatGPT, has teamed up with academic researchers to study the long-term effects of AI on the US workforce.
More Career Info
Career: Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
They assist skilled workers by carrying materials, mixing mortar, and ensuring the work area is clean and organized for building walls, floors, and other structures.
Parent Careers
Similar Careers
Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$46,480
Jobs (2024)
16,100
Growth (2024-34)
-10.5%
Annual Openings
1,400
Education
No formal educational credential
Experience
None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2024-2034
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Erect scaffolding or other installation structures.
2
Clean installation surfaces, equipment, tools, work sites, or storage areas, using water, chemical solutions, oxygen lances, or polishing machines.
3
Modify material moving, mixing, grouting, grinding, polishing, or cleaning procedures, according to installation or material requirements.
4
Arrange or store materials, machines, tools, or equipment.
5
Correct surface imperfections or fill chipped, cracked, or broken bricks or tiles, using fillers, adhesives, or grouting materials.
6
Remove damaged tile, brick, or mortar, and clean or prepare surfaces, using pliers, hammers, chisels, drills, wire brushes, or metal wire anchors.
7
Apply grout between joints of bricks or tiles, using grouting trowels.
Tasks are ranked by their AI resilience, with the most resilient tasks shown first. Core tasks are essential functions of this occupation, while supplemental tasks provide additional context.
