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

62 shared · 2 different

core competencies

39%medium risk
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMultiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticTool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Risk Score38.1%38.5%
Risk TierMedium RiskMedium Risk
Risk Percentile75th77th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)5 / 158 / 15
Median Salary$46,060$48,970
Employment130K6K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Design
Performing General Physical Activities

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

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

25%

total discount

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

27%

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.

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 +$2,910(+6%) vs Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticTool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
10th
$34,130$33,770
25th
$38,320$39,520
Median
$46,060$48,970
75th
$56,220$60,210
90th
$72,850$74,120

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2028–2035
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners2028–2035
20242030203520402045

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

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

$28,511

from $46,060

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

$30,097

from $48,970

After adjusting for AI risk, Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners offers $1,586 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Multiple

0

Unique to Tool

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Fine Manipulation
Social Intelligence
Creativity
Regulatory Barriers
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticTool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Find transitions from Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticFind transitions from Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners