Side-by-Side Comparison
Patternmakers, Wood leads 4–1| Metric | Patternmakers, Wood | Machinists |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Score | 24.9% | 36.8% |
| Risk Tier | Low Risk | Medium Risk |
| Risk Percentile | 19th | 71th |
| Tasks at Risk (>50%) | 4 / 15 | 9 / 15 |
| Median Salary | $52,520 | $56,150 |
| Employment | 180 | 299K |
Skill Comparison
|
Sorted by largest difference
English Language
Operations Analysis
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Design
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Protective Factors
Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement
Patternmakers, Wood
25%
total discount
Machinists
26%
total discount
Task Risk Comparison
Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable
Patternmakers, Wood
4 of 15 at risk84%Estimate costs for patternmaking jobs.
78%Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
65%Compute dimensions, areas, volumes, and weights.
59%Verify dimensions of completed patterns, using templates, straightedges, calipers, or protractors.
49%Finish completed products or models with shellac, lacquer, wax, or paint.
Machinists
9 of 15 at risk86%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 +$3,630(+7%) vs Patternmakers, Wood
Patternmakers, WoodMachinists
10th
$40,730$38,100
25th
$45,450$46,250
Median
$52,520$56,150
75th
$77,410$64,910
90th
$83,330$78,760
Premium Head-to-Head Analysis
Displacement Timeline Comparison
Patternmakers, Wood2028–2035
Machinists2028–2035
20242030203520402045
Patternmakers, Wood 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, Wood
$39,432
from $52,520
Machinists
$35,492
from $56,150
After adjusting for AI risk, Patternmakers, Wood offers $3,940 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
Social Intelligence
Fine Manipulation
Decision Complexity
Creativity
Patternmakers, WoodMachinists