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Corrosion technician

Also called surface technician, corrosion supervisor, surface coating technician

Corrosion technicians monitor the integrity from a pipeline and provide repairs to it if needed. They ensure that the pipelines are properly connected and are in line with the health and safety regulations. Corrosion technicians inspect cathodic protection systems and pipeline connection points for corrosion. They may also assist in the designing of pipelines, analyse soil and write reports on technical issues.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 11 countries now. 27 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Science and engineering associate professionalsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,600 (Bulgaria) to €6,500 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Science and engineering associate professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree4 in 10 have a degree.Science and engineering associate professionalsWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Civil engineering technicians · ILO

What you'd do

Civil engineering technicians · ILO
  • Performing or assisting with field and laboratory tests of soils and construction materials
  • Providing technical assistance connected with the construction of buildings and other structures, and with surveys or the preparation of survey reports
  • Ensuring compliance with design specifications, relevant legislation and regulations, and maintenance of desired standards of materials and work
  • Applying technical knowledge of building and civil engineering principles and practices in order to identify and solve problems arising
  • Assisting with the preparation of detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for projects, according to the specifications given
  • Organizing maintenance and repairs
  • Inspecting buildings and structures during and after construction to ensure that they comply with building, grading, zoning and safety laws and approved plans, specifications and standards, as well as with other rules concerning quality and safety of buildings
  • Inspecting industrial plant, hotels, cinemas and other buildings and structures to detect fire hazards and advise on how they can be removed
  • Advising on the installation of fire detectors and sprinkler systems and the use of materials in the construction of buildings, and means of transportation to reduce risk of fire and extent of damage and danger if fire occurs
Write technical reportsExecute analytical mathematical calculationsCollaborate with engineersManage health and safety standardsCreate solutions to problems+ 5 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Mostly outdoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people
  • Some freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the related, broader US job "Commercial Divers"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

11 EU countries are short of civil engineering technicians now, and a typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as science and engineering associate professionals in the EU
7.4m7.3m7.49m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
142,000 new jobs 1,835,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Science and engineering associate professionals27
All jobs29
Right now
11 of 27 countries report a shortage of civil engineering technicians, 3 a surplus.
Civil engineering technicians · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,600 a month (Bulgaria) to €6,500 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree is the usual route.

Highest qualification of science and engineering associate professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 41%Vocational 43%General secondary 7%Basic schooling 9%

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.28 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 9 tasks
Assisting with the preparation of detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for projects, according to the specifications given0.41
Providing technical assistance connected with the construction of buildings and other structures, and with surveys or the preparation of survey reports0.36
Ensuring compliance with design specifications, relevant legislation and regulations, and maintenance of desired standards of materials and work0.30
Applying technical knowledge of building and civil engineering principles and practices in order to identify and solve problems arising0.28
Advising on the installation of fire detectors and sprinkler systems and the use of materials in the construction of buildings, and means of transportation to reduce risk of fire and extent of damage and danger if fire occurs0.27
Inspecting buildings and structures during and after construction to ensure that they comply with building, grading, zoning and safety laws and approved plans, specifications and standards, as well as with other rules concerning quality and safety of buildings0.26
Inspecting industrial plant, hotels, cinemas and other buildings and structures to detect fire hazards and advise on how they can be removed0.24
Performing or assisting with field and laboratory tests of soils and construction materials0.20
Organizing maintenance and repairs0.17

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for civil engineering technicians. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).