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Demolition worker

Also called topman, topwoman, mattockman

Demolition workers operate equipment to demolish structures. They safely destroy buildings and remove the debris to permit the site to be used for a different purpose.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 10 countries now. 18 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Building and related trades workers (excluding electricians)What does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,000 (Bulgaria) to €5,500 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Building and related trades workers (excluding electricians)What do I need to study?Upper secondary or vocational6 in 10 finished upper secondary or vocational training.Building and related trades workers (excluding electricians)Will AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Building frame and related trades workers not elsewhere classified · ILO

What you'd do

Building frame and related trades workers not elsewhere classified · ILO
  • Climbing and performing miscellaneous construction and building maintenance work on tall structures such as towers, chimneys and spires
  • Erecting temporary metal or wooden scaffolding on building sites
  • Demolishing buildings and other structures
Use safety equipment in constructionWork in a construction teamFollow health and safety procedures in constructionTransport construction suppliesWork ergonomically+ 10 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Mostly outdoors
  • On your feet most of the day
  • 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 US job "Construction Laborers"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

10 EU countries are short of building frame and related trades workers not elsewhere classified now, but fewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.

People working as building and related trades workers (excluding electricians) in the EU
7.48m8.08m7.63m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
1,849,000 replacing leavers 394,000 jobs disappear
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Building and related trades workers (excluding electricians)18
All jobs29
Right now
10 of 27 countries report a shortage of building frame and related trades workers not elsewhere classified, 4 a surplus.
Building frame and related trades workers not elsewhere classified · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €5,500 (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 craft and related trades workers in the EU, women earn 26% less per hour than men. Craft and related trades workers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Upper secondary or vocational

Upper secondary or vocational training is the usual route.

Highest qualification of building and related trades workers (excluding electricians) (EU, 2025)
Degree 7%Vocational 50%General secondary 8%Basic schooling 35%

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 0.09 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 3 tasks
Demolishing buildings and other structures0.10
Erecting temporary metal or wooden scaffolding on building sites0.10
Climbing and performing miscellaneous construction and building maintenance work on tall structures such as towers, chimneys and spires0.08

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 building frame and related trades workers not elsewhere classified. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).