Machinists vs Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

medium risk

Machinists

56 shared · 6 different

core competencies

medium risk

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

Side-by-Side Comparison

Machinists leads 4–1

Metric	Machinists	Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Risk Score	36.8%	38.5%
Risk Tier	Medium Risk	Medium Risk
Risk Percentile	71th	77th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	9 / 15	8 / 15
Median Salary	$56,150	$48,970
Employment	299K	6K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Controlling Machines and Processes

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Design

Equipment MaintenanceAI-Resistant

MathematicsAI-Vulnerable

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Machinists

26%

total discount

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

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.

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

8 of 15 at risk

84%Study blueprints or layouts of metal workpieces to determine grinding procedures, and to plan machine setups and operational sequences.

78%Compute numbers, widths, and angles of cutting tools, micrometers, scales, and gauges, and adjust tools to produce specified cuts.

76%Inspect dies to detect defects, assess wear, and verify specifications, using micrometers, steel gauge pins, and loupes.

61%Monitor machine operations to determine whether adjustments are necessary, stopping machines when problems occur.

59%Remove finished workpieces from machines and place them in boxes or on racks, setting aside pieces that are defective.

Wage Comparison

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners earns -$7,180(-13%) vs Machinists

MachinistsTool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

10th

$38,100$33,770

25th

$46,250$39,520

Median

$56,150$48,970

75th

$64,910$60,210

90th

$78,760$74,120

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Machinists2028–2035

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners2028–2035

20242030203520402045

Machinists has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Machinists

$35,492

from $56,150

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

$30,097

from $48,970

After adjusting for AI risk, Machinists offers $5,395 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Machinists

Unique to Tool

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Fine Manipulation

Creativity

Regulatory Barriers

Social Intelligence

MachinistsTool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

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