Takeover Tracker
37%medium risk
Machinists
vs

52 shared · 10 different

core competencies

30%medium risk
Maintenance Workers, Machinery

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMachinistsMaintenance Workers, Machinery
Risk Score36.8%29.7%
Risk TierMedium RiskMedium Risk
Risk Percentile71th37th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)9 / 1510 / 15
Median Salary$56,150$60,500
Employment299K57K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Equipment MaintenanceAI-Resistant
Repairing
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Performing General Physical Activities
Mechanical
Processing Information
Troubleshooting

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Machinists

26%

total discount

Maintenance Workers, Machinery

27%

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.

Maintenance Workers, Machinery

10 of 15 at risk
88%Inventory and requisition machine parts, equipment, and other supplies so that stock can be maintained and replenished.
86%Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance.
86%Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information.
61%Transport machine parts, tools, equipment, and other material between work areas and storage, using cranes, hoists, or dollies.
57%Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations.

Wage Comparison

Maintenance Workers, Machinery earns +$4,350(+8%) vs Machinists
MachinistsMaintenance Workers, Machinery
10th
$38,100$40,080
25th
$46,250$48,600
Median
$56,150$60,500
75th
$64,910$72,260
90th
$78,760$83,560

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Machinists2028–2035
Maintenance Workers, Machinery2028–2035
20242030203520402045

Maintenance Workers, Machinery has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Machinists.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Machinists

$35,492

from $56,150

Maintenance Workers, Machinery

$42,562

from $60,500

After adjusting for AI risk, Maintenance Workers, Machinery offers $7,069 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Machinists

0

Unique to Maintenance

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Regulatory Barriers
Social Intelligence
Creativity
Decision Complexity
MachinistsMaintenance Workers, Machinery
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Machinists vs Maintenance Workers, Machinery AI Risk — Takeover Tracker