Will Technology Replace Contractor Jobs? 

Right now, there is a high demand for skilled workers in the construction industry. However, will these jobs be taken away by technology and robots. Yes, technology is growing in the construction industry. According to a study done by the Midwest Economic Policy Institute, they estimate robots could either replace or displace 2.7 million jobs in construction by 2057. 

Operating engineers have a high rate (88 percent) for the potential of going automation. Many companies are investing in technology that will make automation possible. Such companies include: CAT, Komatsu, Volvo CE. Roofers have the smallest potential for automation, as well as construction laborers and sheet metal workers. Certain tasks and jobs just can’t be done by robots due to unpredictable and changing environments. 

Overall, it’s predicted that only 5% of contractor-based jobs have the potential to be completely replaced by robots. Although many new jobs were added in construction in the past few years, there still is a labor shortage. The younger generations are not filling in the employment gaps from the older generations leaving and/or retiring. 

Unlike other industries, new technologies are taking longer to catch on in the construction industry, so full-on robot usage (or the replacement of humans) is probably many, many years from being a reality. Right now, there are robots doing smaller (yet still important) tasks, like bricklaying. 

Robots are great for doing repetitive tasks, because they faster than a human. However, this doesn’t mean the human is replaced. The human needs to run the robot, check on the robot’s work, and set up the work before the robot completes a task. 

So overall, contractors don’t need to be alarmed. Your jobs are safe from the robots. People will always value people. People will have to manage, repair, control, maintain, and direct the robots. With a changing society, new jobs will also emerge for people to do, as well. 

It’s best to think of new technology as something that can help us on the job and improve our work, not harm us. 

If you’ve been interested in a career in contracting, you will need your  Florida contractor license. As a Florida contractor licensing company, our team at Licenses, Etc. will do the contractor licensing process for you. We know the ins and outs of the application process, because we’ve helped thousands of people get their Florida contractor’s license. To get started with us today, click our  contractor license company page or call 239-777-1028.