Rankings β†’ Will AI Replace…

Will AI Replace Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

79/100 β€” High Risk
SOC 51-4032

πŸ’‘ Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic have a composite risk score of 79/100 (Frey-Osborne probability: 94%, GenAI exposure: 24/100). With 5,310 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 5,310 workers and a median wage of $47K,drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic represent a significant portion of the US workforce. Their GenAI exposure index is 24%, meaning a minority of their core tasks overlap with current generative AI capabilities.

Risk Score

79/100

Employment

5,310

Median Wage

$47K

GenAI Exposure

24%

⚠️ Top Risk Factors

1.

Automated CNC programming and machine operation

2.

Cobots handling repetitive material handling tasks

3.

AI quality inspection via computer vision systems

4.

Predictive maintenance reducing manual inspection roles

5.

Industrial robotics replacing manual assembly tasks

πŸ›‘οΈ Tasks AI Can't Easily Replace

βœ“

Quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection

βœ“

Troubleshooting complex equipment malfunctions

βœ“

Coordinating workflow across diverse production teams

πŸ”„ Career Transition Paths

Related occupations with lower AI risk and high skills overlap:

Engineers

63% skills overlap Β· $106K median wage

20/100

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

53% skills overlap Β· $62K median wage

25/100

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

77% skills overlap Β· $68K median wage

33/100

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Will AI completely replace drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?

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

What is the AI risk score for drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic have a composite AI automation risk score of 79 out of 100, classified as "High Risk".

How many drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are there in the US?

There are approximately 5,310 drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic employed in the United States.

What do drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn?

The median annual wage for drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $47K.

What skills should drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic develop?

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