Takeover Tracker
37%medium risk
Machinists
vs

56 shared · 3 different

core competencies

38%medium risk
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMachinistsMultiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Risk Score36.8%38.1%
Risk TierMedium RiskMedium Risk
Risk Percentile71th75th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)9 / 155 / 15
Median Salary$56,150$46,060
Employment299K130K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Thinking Creatively
Controlling Machines and Processes
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Machinists

26%

total discount

Multiple 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

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.

Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

5 of 15 at risk
86%Write programs for computer numerical control (CNC) machines to cut metal and plastic materials.
84%Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences.
67%Compute data, such as gear dimensions or machine settings, applying knowledge of shop mathematics.
57%Inspect workpieces for defects, and measure workpieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates, or other measuring instruments.
53%Observe machine operation to detect workpiece defects or machine malfunctions, adjusting machines as necessary.

Wage Comparison

Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earns -$10,090(-18%) vs Machinists
MachinistsMultiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
10th
$38,100$34,130
25th
$46,250$38,320
Median
$56,150$46,060
75th
$64,910$56,220
90th
$78,760$72,850

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

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

Machinists has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Multiple 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

Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

$28,511

from $46,060

After adjusting for AI risk, Machinists offers $6,981 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Machinists

0

Unique to Multiple

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Creativity
Social Intelligence
Fine Manipulation
Regulatory Barriers
MachinistsMultiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Find transitions from MachinistsFind transitions from Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Machinists vs Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic AI Risk — Takeover Tracker