The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the way work is done is evolving at a rapid pace, but it varies significantly across different occupations.
Near-term exposure to AI is relatively low in the majority of construction occupations.
An NAHB analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reveals that 45 of 47 selected construction-related occupations—or approximately 96%—are classified as having “low” or “moderate” relative AI exposure.
Only two occupations are categorized as having “high” exposure, and none are classified as “very high.” These results indicate that while AI is anticipated to alter the manner in which construction work is conducted, its present form has a less direct influence on numerous frontline occupations in the industry.
The chart compares the projected employment growth from 2025 to 2035 with the relative AI exposure, demonstrating that increased AI exposure does not inherently correspond to faster or slower employment growth.
Construction managers and construction and building inspectors are the sole occupations classified as having a high relative AI exposure among construction occupations.
From 2025 to 2035, it is anticipated that employment in these occupations will increase by 9% and remain relatively unchanged.
In contrast, the employment of solar photovoltaic installers, which is classified as having moderate exposure, is expected to increase by 37%, making it the fastest-growing construction occupation in the group.
Many hands-on trades and field roles, including carpenters, construction laborers, roofers, and operating engineers, are included in the low-exposure group of the selected construction occupations.
These positions are significantly dependent on physical execution, safety judgment, coordination with other trades, and interaction with materials and equipment, as well as the changing conditions of the jobsite.
The direct reach of current software-based AI into many of the tasks performed in these roles is restricted by these characteristics.
In contrast, construction managers and construction and building inspectors are classified as high-exposure exceptions, which is indicative of the increased importance of planning, documentation, scheduling, compliance, reporting, and communication in these professions.
This distinction is in accordance with the results of NAHB’s Housing Market Index (HMI) special questions, which indicate that builders predominantly employ AI for information-intensive tasks, including project planning, advertising and marketing, and project design.
These results are consistent with the occupation-level AI exposure classifications, emphasizing the greater applicability of AI to information-intensive functions than to hands-on construction activities.
Construction is not immune to technological advancements due to its relatively limited current AI exposure.
Rather, the initial phase of AI adoption may involve the enhancement of existing work by means of enhanced document management, safety analysis, progress monitoring, and decision support, as well as faster estimating and planning.
AI-enabled equipment, robotics, and computer vision may facilitate the gradual emergence of modifications to field operations.
Builders have identified technological advancements as a beneficial long-term force for the housing industry, according to recent findings from NAHB’s Housing Market Index (HMI) special questions.
Origin:
“AI Exposure Categories and Employment Projections, 2025–35,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections Program, with definitions and limitations outlined in the Field Descriptions heading of the workbook.
The BLS supplemental table, AI Exposure Categories and Employment Projections, 2025–35, integrates five publicly available data sources to compare detailed occupations based on their theoretical and observed exposure to AI.
The metric indicates whether AI technology has been or could be employed to complete or assist with certain tasks that are performed in an occupation. It is crucial to note that it does not anticipate wage effects, automation, productivity gains, or job losses.
This examination concentrates on 47 SOC construction occupations, with the exception of extraction occupations, as well as construction administrators.
It does not encompass the entire workforce employed by construction firms, which also includes adjacent occupations such as architects, engineers, cost estimators, accountants, sales professionals, technology staff, and administrators.
Additionally, occupations are tallied irrespective of the industry in which workers are employed.
[Read more about this topic on eyeonhousing.org]