Rankings β†’ Will AI Replace…

Will AI Replace Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

62/100 β€” High Risk
SOC 51-4122

πŸ’‘ Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders have a composite risk score of 62/100 (Frey-Osborne probability: 61%, GenAI exposure: 44/100). With 36,290 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 36,290 workers and a median wage of $47K,welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders represent a significant portion of the US workforce. Their GenAI exposure index is 44%, meaning a minority of their core tasks overlap with current generative AI capabilities.

Risk Score

62/100

Employment

36,290

Median Wage

$47K

GenAI Exposure

44%

⚠️ Top Risk Factors

1.

Cobots handling repetitive material handling tasks

2.

Smart factory scheduling and production optimization

3.

Industrial robotics replacing manual assembly tasks

4.

Predictive maintenance reducing manual inspection roles

πŸ›‘οΈ Tasks AI Can't Easily Replace

βœ“

Setup and calibration of custom production runs

βœ“

Quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection

βœ“

Handling non-standard materials and configurations

πŸ”„ Career Transition Paths

Related occupations with lower AI risk and high skills overlap:

Engineers

69% skills overlap Β· $106K median wage

20/100

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

59% skills overlap Β· $62K median wage

25/100

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

73% skills overlap Β· $68K median wage

33/100

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Will AI completely replace welding, soldering, and brazing 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 welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders?

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders have a composite AI automation risk score of 62 out of 100, classified as "High Risk".

How many welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders are there in the US?

There are approximately 36,290 welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders employed in the United States.

What do welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders earn?

The median annual wage for welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders is $47K.

What skills should welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders develop?

Focus on tasks AI can't easily replicate: setup and calibration of custom production runs, quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection, handling non-standard materials and configurations. These human-centric skills will become more valuable as routine tasks are automated.