Takeover Tracker
32%medium risk
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
vs

52 shared · 5 different

core competencies

37%medium risk
Machinists

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPatternmakers, Metal and PlasticMachinists
Risk Score31.6%36.8%
Risk TierMedium RiskMedium Risk
Risk Percentile48th71th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)8 / 159 / 15
Median Salary$54,540$56,150
Employment2K299K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Handling and Moving Objects
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Controlling Machines and Processes

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

25%

total discount

Machinists

26%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

8 of 15 at risk
84%Select pattern materials such as wood, resin, and fiberglass.
73%Program computerized numerical control machine tools.
59%Mark identification numbers or symbols onto patterns or templates.
57%Paint or lacquer patterns.
55%Create computer models of patterns or parts, using modeling software.

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 +$1,610(+3%) vs Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Patternmakers, Metal and PlasticMachinists
10th
$39,150$38,100
25th
$47,520$46,250
Median
$54,540$56,150
75th
$66,590$64,910
90th
$79,690$78,760

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic2028–2035
Machinists2028–2035
20242030203520402045

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Machinists.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

$37,284

from $54,540

Machinists

$35,492

from $56,150

After adjusting for AI risk, Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic offers $1,791 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Patternmakers,

0

Unique to Machinists

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Fine Manipulation
Social Intelligence
Regulatory Barriers
Decision Complexity
Patternmakers, Metal and PlasticMachinists
Find transitions from Patternmakers, Metal and PlasticFind transitions from Machinists