Rankings β†’ Will AI Replace…

Will AI Replace Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

68/100 β€” High Risk
SOC 51-9021

πŸ’‘ Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders have a composite risk score of 68/100 (Frey-Osborne probability: 97%, GenAI exposure: 53/100). With 28,550 workers in the US, this is one of the most AI-vulnerable occupations. Full occupation profile β†’

🎯 The Verdict

Likely for many tasks. The role will look very different in 5–10 years.

With 28,550 workers and a median wage of $47K,crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders represent a significant portion of the US workforce. Their GenAI exposure index is 53%, meaning a majority of their core tasks overlap with current generative AI capabilities.

Risk Score

68/100

Employment

28,550

Median Wage

$47K

GenAI Exposure

53%

⚠️ Top Risk Factors

1.

Industrial robotics replacing manual assembly tasks

2.

Predictive maintenance reducing manual inspection roles

3.

Cobots handling repetitive material handling tasks

4.

Smart factory scheduling and production optimization

πŸ›‘οΈ Tasks AI Can't Easily Replace

βœ“

Coordinating workflow across diverse production teams

βœ“

Troubleshooting complex equipment malfunctions

βœ“

Quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection

πŸ”„ Career Transition Paths

Related occupations with lower AI risk and high skills overlap:

Engineers

61% skills overlap Β· $106K median wage

20/100

First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

51% skills overlap Β· $62K median wage

25/100

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

70% skills overlap Β· $68K median wage

33/100

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Will AI completely replace crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders?

Likely for many tasks. The role will look very different in 5–10 years.

What is the AI risk score for crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders?

Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders have a composite AI automation risk score of 68 out of 100, classified as "High Risk".

How many crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders are there in the US?

There are approximately 28,550 crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders employed in the United States.

What do crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders earn?

The median annual wage for crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders is $47K.

What skills should crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders develop?

Focus on tasks AI can't easily replicate: coordinating workflow across diverse production teams, troubleshooting complex equipment malfunctions, quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection. These human-centric skills will become more valuable as routine tasks are automated.