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

46 shared · 9 different

core competencies

37%medium risk
Machinists

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticMachinists
Risk Score39.5%36.8%
Risk TierMedium RiskMedium Risk
Risk Percentile79th71th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)6 / 159 / 15
Median Salary$48,620$56,150
Employment19K299K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Design
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Training and Teaching Others
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Documenting/Recording Information
Controlling Machines and Processes
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Mechanical
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

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

25%

total discount

Machinists

26%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

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.

Machinists

9 of 15 at risk
86%Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
84%Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products.
70%Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
63%Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
57%Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.

Wage Comparison

Machinists earns +$7,530(+15%) vs Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticMachinists
10th
$36,200$38,100
25th
$41,180$46,250
Median
$48,620$56,150
75th
$58,100$64,910
90th
$65,450$78,760

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2028–2035
Machinists2028–2035
20242030203520402045

Machinists 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%)

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

$29,391

from $48,620

Machinists

$35,492

from $56,150

After adjusting for AI risk, Machinists offers $6,102 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Lathe

0

Unique to Machinists

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Creativity
Social Intelligence
Regulatory Barriers
Fine Manipulation
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticMachinists
Find transitions from Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticFind transitions from Machinists