Takeover Tracker
21%low risk
Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters
vs

50 shared · 14 different

core competencies

37%medium risk
Machinists

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricWelders, Cutters, and Welder FittersMachinists
Risk Score21.4%36.8%
Risk TierLow RiskMedium Risk
Risk Percentile10th71th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)5 / 159 / 15
Median Salary$51,000$56,150
Employment424K299K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Handling and Moving Objects
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Assisting and Caring for Others
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Training and Teaching Others
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
Controlling Machines and Processes
Performing General Physical Activities
Administration and Management
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Coaching and Developing Others

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters

27%

total discount

Machinists

26%

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.

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 +$5,150(+10%) vs Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters
Welders, Cutters, and Welder FittersMachinists
10th
$38,130$38,100
25th
$45,580$46,250
Median
$51,000$56,150
75th
$61,610$64,910
90th
$75,850$78,760

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters2028–2035
Machinists2028–2035
20242030203520402045

Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Machinists.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters

$40,096

from $51,000

Machinists

$35,492

from $56,150

After adjusting for AI risk, Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters offers $4,604 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Welders,

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
Welders, Cutters, and Welder FittersMachinists
Find transitions from Welders, Cutters, and Welder FittersFind transitions from Machinists