Rankings β†’ Will AI Replace…

Will AI Replace Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

75/100 β€” High Risk
SOC 51-4022

πŸ’‘ Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic have a composite risk score of 75/100 (Frey-Osborne probability: 93%, GenAI exposure: 10/100). With 8,760 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 8,760 workers and a median wage of $49K,forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic represent a significant portion of the US workforce. Their GenAI exposure index is 10%, meaning a minority of their core tasks overlap with current generative AI capabilities.

Risk Score

75/100

Employment

8,760

Median Wage

$49K

GenAI Exposure

10%

⚠️ Top Risk Factors

1.

Smart factory scheduling and production optimization

2.

Cobots handling repetitive material handling tasks

3.

Predictive maintenance reducing manual inspection roles

4.

Automated CNC programming and machine operation

5.

AI quality inspection via computer vision systems

πŸ›‘οΈ Tasks AI Can't Easily Replace

βœ“

Setup and calibration of custom production runs

βœ“

Coordinating workflow across diverse production teams

βœ“

Quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection

πŸ”„ Career Transition Paths

Related occupations with lower AI risk and high skills overlap:

Engineers

55% skills overlap Β· $106K median wage

20/100

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

65% skills overlap Β· $62K median wage

25/100

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

84% skills overlap Β· $68K median wage

33/100

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Will AI completely replace forging machine 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 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic have a composite AI automation risk score of 75 out of 100, classified as "High Risk".

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

There are approximately 8,760 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic employed in the United States.

What do forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn?

The median annual wage for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $49K.

What skills should forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic develop?

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