Takeover Tracker
35%medium risk
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
vs

54 shared · 4 different

core competencies

40%medium risk
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticLathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Risk Score34.6%39.5%
Risk TierMedium RiskMedium Risk
Risk Percentile64th79th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)8 / 156 / 15
Median Salary$45,590$48,620
Employment174K19K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Controlling Machines and Processes
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Performing General Physical Activities

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

24%

total discount

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

25%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

8 of 15 at risk
86%Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
84%Mark identifying data on workpieces.
67%Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
65%Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
53%Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

6 of 15 at risk
88%Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
86%Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences.
86%Select cutting tools and tooling instructions, according to written specifications or knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
85%Program computer numerical control machines.
74%Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.

Wage Comparison

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earns +$3,030(+7%) vs Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticLathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
10th
$35,000$36,200
25th
$38,400$41,180
Median
$45,590$48,620
75th
$52,150$58,100
90th
$62,650$65,450

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2028–2035
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2028–2035
20242030203520402045

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

$29,811

from $45,590

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

$29,391

from $48,620

After adjusting for AI risk, Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic offers $421 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Cutting,

0

Unique to Lathe

Combined Protection Strategy

Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors

Regulatory Barriers
Creativity
Fine Manipulation
Social Intelligence
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticLathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Find transitions from Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticFind transitions from Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic