Machinists vs Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

medium risk

Machinists

57 shared · 2 different

core competencies

medium risk

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Side-by-Side Comparison

Machinists leads 4–1

Metric	Machinists	Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Risk Score	36.8%	40.8%
Risk Tier	Medium Risk	Medium Risk
Risk Percentile	71th	83th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	9 / 15	7 / 15
Median Salary	$56,150	$46,630
Employment	299K	5K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Interacting With Computers

Training and Teaching Others

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Machinists

26%

total discount

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

26%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

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.

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

7 of 15 at risk

87%Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.

84%Lay out reference lines and machining locations on work, using layout tools, and applying knowledge of shop math and layout techniques.

72%Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.

63%Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems.

61%Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.

Wage Comparison

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earns -$9,520(-17%) vs Machinists

MachinistsDrilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

10th

$38,100$35,360

25th

$46,250$41,100

Median

$56,150$46,630

75th

$64,910$56,820

90th

$78,760$65,200

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Machinists2028–2035

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2028–2035

20242030203520402045

Machinists has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Machinists

$35,492

from $56,150

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

$27,596

from $46,630

After adjusting for AI risk, Machinists offers $7,897 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Machinists

Unique to Drilling

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Fine Manipulation

Creativity

Social Intelligence

Regulatory Barriers

MachinistsDrilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

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