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

56 shared · 3 different

core competencies

37%medium risk
Machinists

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMultiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticMachinists
Risk Score38.1%36.8%
Risk TierMedium RiskMedium Risk
Risk Percentile75th71th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)5 / 159 / 15
Median Salary$46,060$56,150
Employment130K299K

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

Multiple 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

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.

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 +$10,090(+22%) vs Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticMachinists
10th
$34,130$38,100
25th
$38,320$46,250
Median
$46,060$56,150
75th
$56,220$64,910
90th
$72,850$78,760

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

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

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

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

$28,511

from $46,060

Machinists

$35,492

from $56,150

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 Multiple

0

Unique to Machinists

Combined Protection Strategy

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

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