Takeover Tracker

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricWelders, Cutters, and Welder FittersCutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Risk Score21.4%34.6%
Risk TierLow RiskMedium Risk
Risk Percentile10th64th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)5 / 158 / 15
Median Salary$51,000$45,590
Employment424K174K

Skill Comparison

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Sorted by largest difference

Design
Assisting and Caring for Others
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others
Controlling Machines and Processes
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Administration and Management
Operation Monitoring
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters

27%

total discount

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

24%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters

5 of 15 at risk
84%Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.
77%Mark or tag material with proper job number, piece marks, and other identifying marks as required.
73%Select and install torches, torch tips, filler rods, and flux, according to welding chart specifications or types and thicknesses of metals.
57%Analyze engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications, sketches, work orders, and material safety data sheets to plan layout, assembly, and welding operations.
55%Determine required equipment and welding methods, applying knowledge of metallurgy, geometry, and welding techniques.

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

8 of 15 at risk
86%Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
84%Mark identifying data on workpieces.
67%Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
65%Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
53%Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

Wage Comparison

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earns -$5,410(-11%) vs Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters
Welders, Cutters, and Welder FittersCutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
10th
$38,130$35,000
25th
$45,580$38,400
Median
$51,000$45,590
75th
$61,610$52,150
90th
$75,850$62,650

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Head-to-head task automation timeline
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Risk-adjusted salary comparison
Combined protective factor strategy
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Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters: Not yetCutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: Not yet