Takeover Tracker
42%medium risk
Printing Press Operators
vs

59 shared · 6 different

core competencies

41%medium risk
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPrinting Press OperatorsDrilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Risk Score42.4%40.8%
Risk TierMedium RiskMedium Risk
Risk Percentile86th83th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)5 / 157 / 15
Median Salary$45,160$46,630
Employment145K5K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Interacting With Computers
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Training and Teaching Others
Mechanical
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Printing Press Operators

27%

total discount

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

26%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Printing Press Operators

5 of 15 at risk
88%Input production job settings into workstation terminals that control automated printing systems.
86%Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
86%Adjust digital files to alter print elements, such as fonts, graphics, or color separations.
86%Monitor automated press operation systems and respond to fault, error, or alert messages.
78%Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

7 of 15 at risk
87%Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.
84%Lay out reference lines and machining locations on work, using layout tools, and applying knowledge of shop math and layout techniques.
72%Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
63%Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems.
61%Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.

Wage Comparison

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earns +$1,470(+3%) vs Printing Press Operators
Printing Press OperatorsDrilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
10th
$31,450$35,360
25th
$36,970$41,100
Median
$45,160$46,630
75th
$54,340$56,820
90th
$63,060$65,200

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Printing Press Operators2028–2035
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2028–2035
20242030203520402045

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Printing Press Operators.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Printing Press Operators

$26,008

from $45,160

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

$27,596

from $46,630

After adjusting for AI risk, Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic offers $1,588 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Printing

0

Unique to Drilling

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Decision Complexity
Social Intelligence
Creativity
Regulatory Barriers
Printing Press OperatorsDrilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Find transitions from Printing Press OperatorsFind transitions from Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic