Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons
SOC Code: 49-9045
Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons carries a 17% AI exposure score (Low automation risk), with a median annual wage of $58,540 and -16.9% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 1,100 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 17% AI exposure, Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons sits 20 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 3% of them. It ranks among the more AI-resilient roles in the dataset.
Where Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons has ai exposure of 17%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons (SOC 49-9045) carries an AI exposure score of 17%, placing it in the Low automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 1,100 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -16.9% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $58,540, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Measure furnace walls to determine dimensions and cut required number of sheets from plastic block, using saws.
- 2. Reline or repair ladles and pouring spouts with refractory clay, using trowels.
- 3. Dry and bake new linings by placing inverted linings over burners, building fires in ladles, or by using blowtorches.
- 4. Remove worn or damaged plastic block refractory linings of furnaces, using hand tools.
- 5. Chip slag from linings of ladles or remove linings when beyond repair, using hammers and chisels.
- 6. Climb scaffolding, carrying hoses, and spray surfaces of cupolas with refractory mixtures, using spray equipment.
- 7. Mix specified amounts of sand, clay, mortar powder, and water to form refractory clay or mortar, using shovels or mixing machines.
- 8. Spread mortar on stopper heads and rods, using trowels, and slide brick sleeves over rods to form refractory jackets.
- 9. Dump and tamp clay in molds, using tamping tools.
- 10. Transfer clay structures to curing ovens, melting tanks, and drawing kilns, using forklifts.
Key Skills Required
- Operations Monitoring
- Repairing
- Active Listening
- Operation and Control
- Equipment Maintenance
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Troubleshooting
- Time Management
Knowledge Areas
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Design
- Education and Training
- Building and Construction
- Engineering and Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons?
Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons has an AI exposure score of 17%, indicating a low level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons is projected to decline by 16.9% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 1,100 workers.
What skills are needed for Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons?
Key skills for Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons include Operations Monitoring, Repairing, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons earn?
The median annual wage for Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons is $58,540, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons?
The typical entry-level education for Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons?
Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Low automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).