Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
AI Impact Summary
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 41/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 83% of all analyzed occupations. Of 17 analyzed tasks, 3 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path
by Pluralsight
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
by Case Western Reserve University
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
17 tasks analyzed
Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges.
Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches.
Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.
Install tools in spindles.
Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.
Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations.
Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices.
Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems.
Lift workpieces onto work tables either manually or with hoists or direct crane operators to lift and position workpieces.
Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles.
Lay out reference lines and machining locations on work, using layout tools, and applying knowledge of shop math and layout techniques.
Operate single- or multiple-spindle drill presses to bore holes so that machining operations can be performed on metal or plastic workpieces.
Turn valves and direct flow of coolants or cutting oil over cutting areas.
Perform minor assembly, such as fastening parts with nuts, bolts, or screws, using power tools or hand tools.
Sharpen cutting tools, using bench grinders.
Operate tracing attachments to duplicate contours from templates or models.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges. | 25Estimated | 43.0% | 10% | |
| Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements. | 57.95Observed | 72.4% | 8% | |
| Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 5% | |
| Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 5% | |
| Install tools in spindles. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 5% | |
| Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 10% | |
| Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 5% | |
| Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 10% | |
| Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 10% | |
| Lift workpieces onto work tables either manually or with hoists or direct crane operators to lift and position workpieces. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 5% | |
| Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 4% | |
| Lay out reference lines and machining locations on work, using layout tools, and applying knowledge of shop math and layout techniques. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 5% | |
| Operate single- or multiple-spindle drill presses to bore holes so that machining operations can be performed on metal or plastic workpieces. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 8% | |
| Turn valves and direct flow of coolants or cutting oil over cutting areas. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Perform minor assembly, such as fastening parts with nuts, bolts, or screws, using power tools or hand tools. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 3% | |
| Sharpen cutting tools, using bench grinders. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 2% | |
| Operate tracing attachments to duplicate contours from templates or models. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 26.3%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$46,630
per year
Mean Wage
$50,330
per year
Employment
5K
workers
Wage Range
$35,360 - $65,200
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
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Alternate Career Paths
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change