The construction industry is facing a major challenge: a severe shortage of skilled workers. Nearly 40% of the workforce will retire by 2031, and younger generations are pursuing tech careers instead of trades. This has led to 370,000 unfilled jobs as of late 2024, with 94% of firms struggling to hire for key construction management jobs like pipefitters, welders, and surveyors. These shortages are causing project delays (80% of firms), increased costs, and even forcing contractors to turn down work.
Robotics offers a solution by automating repetitive and hazardous tasks, such as drilling, rebar tying, and roofing, while improving safety and efficiency. For example:
Rather than replacing workers, robots fill vacant roles and shift human labor toward supervisory and decision-making tasks. This shift creates new jobs, such as robotics engineers and operators, and attracts younger, tech-savvy talent to the field. Training programs, virtual reality, and certifications help workers transition into these emerging roles.
Construction Skills Gap Statistics and Robotics Impact 2024-2031
Robots are stepping in to handle the "Dirty, Dangerous, and Dull" tasks in construction - like overhead drilling, rebar tying, heavy lifting, and roofing. These are the kinds of jobs that often lead to injuries and wear workers down over time.
The numbers speak for themselves: robots can reduce time spent on hazardous tasks by 72%, cut repetitive site work by anywhere from 25% to 90%, improve accuracy by 55%, and slash costly rework by more than 50%. Plus, they can operate around the clock, no matter the weather.
Take some real-world examples. At Los Angeles International Airport, Dusty Robotics used its FieldPrinter robot to map out new parking layouts across a massive 3.3 million square feet. The robot worked at a speed of 939 linear feet per hour, saving nearly 7,000 hours of manual labor. In Florida, the St. Lucie West Boulevard Bridge Expansion project showcased the power of Advanced Construction Robotics' systems. Their IronBOT placed 5,000 pounds of rebar per hour, handling lengths up to 60 feet, while the TyBOT tied 1,200 rebar connections per hour - cutting the time for these tasks in half.
The Hilti Jaibot is another game-changer, especially for overhead drilling. It uses CAD or Revit files to mark and drill holes with precision, working for up to eight hours on a single charge. It even has a built-in dust-removal system to protect workers from silica exposure. And then there’s Renovate Robotics’ Rufus, designed for asphalt shingle installation on residential roofs - a particularly risky job, as roofing is the third most dangerous profession in the U.S..
By taking over these high-risk and repetitive tasks, robots not only improve safety but also redefine how humans contribute to construction projects.
Robotics aren’t replacing workers - they’re filling roles that are currently vacant. The construction industry is expected to face a shortage of 500,000 workers in 2024. As Ibon Iribar, Investment Advisor at CEMEX Ventures, points out:
"Robots would first need to fill a huge number of empty positions before construction companies would need to lay off a single worker".
Instead of performing back-breaking manual labor, workers are now shifting to supervisory and decision-making roles. They monitor robot fleets through software, oversee progress, and focus on solving complex problems. Jiansong Zhang, an Associate Professor at Purdue Polytechnic University, highlights the advantage of these systems:
"The robot system is very good at performing repetitive and labor-intensive tasks, so we don't have errors".
Robotics can shorten project timelines by an average factor of 2.3 compared to traditional methods. By automating the toughest physical tasks, robots are helping crews get more done while reducing fatigue and injuries. This shift not only makes construction work safer but also more attractive to a diverse range of workers.
Robotics is reshaping the construction industry, blending hands-on expertise with digital know-how. A striking example comes from 2025 at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, where operator Nolan Brosch used the Hilti Jaibot to drill up to 300 holes a day - achieving speeds five to ten times faster than traditional methods. As the ABC Rocky Mountain Chapter Staff put it:
"You are not replacing the electrician; you are making them more effective and capable of higher productivity."
This shift has introduced roles like Robotics Engineers, Robot Technicians, Software Engineers, Robot Operators, and AI Engineers. These positions demand a mix of technical skills, such as software programming, mechanical knowledge, and troubleshooting, alongside traditional construction abilities. Employers are also placing greater value on attributes like problem-solving, reliability, and strong interpersonal communication. A recent survey shows that 91% of construction professionals believe digital skills are now essential, while the need for people management skills has surged by 77% since 2019.
These hybrid roles are not only enhancing productivity but also paving the way for a tech-savvy workforce that aligns with the industry’s evolving needs.
The rise of robotics is making construction careers more attractive to younger, tech-focused talent. For instance, in November 2021, modular supplier Autovol incorporated robotics into its production line. This innovation drew a younger and more diverse workforce, with women making up 33% of their team. Jack Tate, President and CEO of ABC Rocky Mountain, highlights this shift:
"Demonstrating how a construction career involves working with construction robots, tablets, and digital plans makes the industry far more appealing [to youth]."
Reflecting this trend, 96% of firms using or planning to adopt automation in 2025 are prioritizing candidates with AI expertise. The focus has shifted toward skills-based hiring, which favors competencies over job titles and has been shown to improve retention of top talent by 98%. To ensure a steady influx of skilled workers, companies are collaborating with schools, community organizations, and government agencies to establish apprenticeships and career development programs. This approach is especially important as the workforce ages - by 2023, 22% of construction workers were 55 or older, nearly double the 11.5% recorded in 2003.
With these changes, the construction industry is not just keeping pace with technological advancements but also positioning itself as a dynamic and appealing career choice for the next generation.
As robotics continue to reshape construction roles, focused training has become a must to help workers tackle new challenges. A 2021 VR study revealed that workers trained using virtual reality gained 60.22% more knowledge compared to just 39.55% with traditional methods.
Organizations like NCCER, Universal Robots Academy, and the ARM Institute provide highly regarded credentials and specialized training tailored to robotic systems. Modern training approaches emphasize skill-based learning and leverage tools like digital twins and virtual simulations to prepare both workers and robots before they hit the job site. The most effective programs combine hands-on apprenticeships and real-world experiences with classroom learning, giving workers practical exposure to the technology.
These initiatives lead to a pivotal question for construction firms: should they focus on upskilling their current workforce or bring in fresh talent?
Construction companies face a critical decision - reskill their existing workforce or hire new employees with robotics expertise. With persistent job vacancies and demand for AI-related skills increasing sevenfold, finding qualified candidates is becoming harder.
Reskilling current employees offers clear benefits. Over 70% of the skills needed for today’s roles overlap between manual and automated tasks, making experienced workers well-suited for hybrid positions. Their institutional knowledge and familiarity with project workflows make them ideal for roles like operating tablets, managing drones, or supervising robotic systems, rather than handling every task manually.
That said, for highly specialized positions like AI development or advanced robotics engineering, hiring new talent might be unavoidable. As the McKinsey Global Institute puts it:
"Work in the future will be a partnership between people, agents, and robots - all powered by AI".
For smaller firms that lack internal training resources, collaborating with organizations like manufacturing institutes, unions, or chambers of commerce can provide access to skilled trainers and reskilling programs. Meanwhile, platforms like iRecruit.co simplify the hiring process by connecting companies with pre-qualified candidates who have expertise in both construction and emerging technologies.
Robots are transforming industries like construction by improving efficiency without replacing human workers. Today, the focus is on collaboration, where humans and robots team up to maximize their strengths. Robots excel at tasks requiring precision, heavy lifting, and repetition, while humans bring critical thinking, adaptability, and problem-solving skills to the table when unexpected challenges arise.
The numbers back up this partnership. Teams of humans and robots working together can improve efficiency by up to 29.3% and increase assembly accuracy by 88.6% compared to human-only teams. Robots also reduce physical strain by up to 20.3%, allowing experienced workers to focus on decision-making and coordination.
AI is another game-changer, enhancing worker capabilities in real-time. For example, AI-powered tools can transfer the expertise of seasoned professionals to junior technicians, enabling them to troubleshoot with the confidence and skill of a veteran. As McKinsey highlights:
"The priority for business leaders should be to create a future workplace where humanoids are deployed to support workers, rather than replace them".
This blend of human ingenuity and robotic precision not only boosts individual performance but also drives growth across entire industries.
The construction industry faces a monumental challenge: global demand for housing and infrastructure is projected to outpace supply by $40 trillion. Meeting this demand requires more than just adding workers - it demands a complete shift in productivity. Between 2000 and 2022, construction productivity grew at a sluggish 0.4% annually, while manufacturing, which adopted automation earlier, grew at 3.0%.
Human-robot collaboration offers a way forward. By integrating robotics into workflows, fewer skilled workers can achieve more, bridging the construction skills gap. Modular construction, supported by robotics, also offers environmental benefits, cutting carbon emissions by approximately 34% through improved precision and reduced waste. On top of that, AI-powered robots could add $2.9 trillion in annual economic value to the U.S. economy by 2030 if workflows are redesigned effectively. The modular construction market for U.S. offices and data centers alone is expected to hit $2 billion by 2029, growing at over 7% annually.
This shift is already underway. For example, in April 2025, the Calcasieu Pass project in Louisiana used factory-built liquefaction modules shipped from Italy, dramatically cutting on-site labor hours through quick assembly. Similarly, in June 2023, engineers in the UK began assembling the Thame Valley Viaduct using standardized concrete modules. This approach not only improved schedule reliability but also reduced carbon emissions. As PwC aptly put it:
"The future of construction is integrated, intelligent, and industrialized, and it's already taking shape".
The construction industry is grappling with a significant workforce shortage, with 81% of firms struggling to fill open positions and a gap of roughly 500,000 workers. Clearly, traditional hiring methods alone aren’t enough to address this challenge.
Robotics presents a promising solution. These systems can boost productivity by two to three times, shorten project timelines, and cut carbon emissions by about 34% through better precision and less waste. Beyond improving efficiency, adopting robotics can also make the industry more appealing to younger, tech-savvy workers, reshaping construction into a forward-thinking, technology-driven field.
However, success requires a two-pronged approach: investing in robotics - whether through pilot programs, Robotics-as-a-Service, or partnerships - and prioritizing workforce development. Nearly half of industry leaders are already implementing reskilling programs to ensure their teams can adapt alongside advancing technologies. PwC emphasizes this balance, stating:
"Workforce transformation is as critical as technology adoption; reskilling must advance in parallel."
With over half of construction executives planning to ramp up investments in AI and automation, the time to act is now. Businesses that embrace human-robot collaboration stand to not only meet today’s demands but also position themselves as leaders in the future of construction.
Robots are stepping up to help solve the construction labor shortage by taking on repetitive and physically demanding tasks like bricklaying, welding, and drywall finishing. These machines not only boost efficiency but also make job sites safer by reducing the chances of injuries tied to strenuous activities.
Instead of replacing human workers, robots are built to work alongside the workforce, enabling employees to shift their focus to more complex, skilled, and supervisory roles. As robotics technology continues to evolve, it's opening doors to new careers in areas such as robot maintenance, programming, and operations. This shift is shaping a more dynamic and adaptable construction industry.
By weaving robotics into their processes, construction companies can address workforce challenges while enhancing productivity, safety, and project outcomes. It's a step forward toward a more forward-thinking and efficient future for the industry.
Robotics play a key role in improving safety on construction sites by tackling tasks that are hazardous or physically demanding. Automated machines can handle jobs like heavy lifting, working in tight or dangerous spaces, and operating in risky conditions. This reduces the chances of injuries and accidents, keeping workers out of harm's way.
On top of that, technologies like AI and IoT bring real-time monitoring and predictive tools into the mix. These systems can spot potential hazards early, allowing for quick action to prevent problems before they escalate. With robotics in the picture, construction sites not only become more efficient but also much safer, addressing many of the risks that come with traditional manual labor.
The construction industry is stepping up to meet the demand for robotics training by adopting cutting-edge approaches to prepare workers for technology-driven roles. Tools like virtual reality (VR) and simulation-based training are becoming increasingly popular, offering workers a safe and controlled way to learn how to operate robotic systems. These methods let employees practice and refine their skills, building both competence and confidence in handling advanced tools.
At the same time, efforts are being made to design robotic systems that are easier to use and can work more naturally alongside human operators. Beyond that, modern training programs - such as apprenticeships and collaborations with industry partners - are equipping workers with the know-how to effectively manage and integrate robotics into construction projects. These initiatives are playing an essential role in closing the skills gap and preparing a workforce ready to embrace new technologies.
