AITakeover Tracker
41%medium risk

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.

Green Increased DemandHigher risk than 83% of occupations

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)

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Information Ordering5%

High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Reading Comprehension10%

Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

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/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Leadership88%

Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Equipment Maintenance78%

Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Negotiation85%

Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

AI-Augmented Skills (7)

MonitoringCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningWritingTechnology DesignSystems Analysis

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.

Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.

Upskill to Reduce Risk

Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills

DataCampbeginner

SQL Fundamentals Skill Track

by DataCamp

21 hours$25/mo4.7Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Information Ordering

Estimated Impact

-6.8pt risk+$2K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Pluralsightbeginner

Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path

by Pluralsight

30 hours$29/mo4.5Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Monitoring

Estimated Impact

-4.9pt risk+$2K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Coursera

Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence

by Case Western Reserve University

32 hours$49/mo4.8Certificate
Strengthens resilience: Adaptability/Flexibility

Estimated Impact

-3.5pt risk+$2K/yr salary

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

Less than High School1%
High School Diploma45%
Some College33%
Post-Secondary Certificate12%
Master's Degree6%
Level 103%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

None10%
Up to 1 month8%
3-6 months8%
6 months - 1 year13%
1-2 years21%
2-4 years24%
4-6 years14%
6-8 years1%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

None4%
Up to 1 month22%
1-3 months16%
3-6 months20%
6 months - 1 year21%
1-2 years9%
2-4 years6%
4-6 years1%

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.

Risk: 43.0%AI: 25EstimatedTime: 10%

Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.

Risk: 72.4%AI: 57.95ObservedTime: 8%

Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches.

Risk: 41.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 5%

Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.

Risk: 87.2%AI: 95EstimatedTime: 5%

Install tools in spindles.

Risk: 45.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 5%

Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.

Risk: 61.0%AI: 70EstimatedTime: 10%

Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations.

Risk: 57.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 5%

Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices.

Risk: 41.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 10%

Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems.

Risk: 63.0%AI: 75EstimatedTime: 10%

Lift workpieces onto work tables either manually or with hoists or direct crane operators to lift and position workpieces.

Risk: 41.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 5%

Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles.

Risk: 45.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 4%

Lay out reference lines and machining locations on work, using layout tools, and applying knowledge of shop math and layout techniques.

Risk: 84.0%AI: 87EstimatedTime: 5%

Operate single- or multiple-spindle drill presses to bore holes so that machining operations can be performed on metal or plastic workpieces.

Risk: 59.0%AI: 65EstimatedTime: 8%

Turn valves and direct flow of coolants or cutting oil over cutting areas.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 3%

Perform minor assembly, such as fastening parts with nuts, bolts, or screws, using power tools or hand tools.

Risk: 41.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 3%

Sharpen cutting tools, using bench grinders.

Risk: 41.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 2%

Operate tracing attachments to duplicate contours from templates or models.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 2%

Protective Factors

Total protective discount: 26.3%

Essential Soft Skills

Traits that are hard for AI to replicate

Attention to DetailDependabilityIntegrityCooperationSelf ControlIndependenceConcern for OthersPersistenceAdaptability/FlexibilityInitiativeAchievement/EffortSocial Orientation

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

$35,360Median: $46,630$65,200
Career Planning

Explore other career paths

Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.

Alternate Career Paths

See all transitions

Patternmakers, Wood

25%
Low Risk

Median salary: $52,520

Higher risk than 19% of other occupations

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

28%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $62,700

Higher risk than 30% of other occupations

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

30%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $46,020

Higher risk than 37% of other occupations

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

32%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $54,540

Higher risk than 48% of other occupations

Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood

34%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $39,950

Higher risk than 63% of other occupations

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

35%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $45,590

Higher risk than 64% of other occupations

Machinists

37%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $56,150

Higher risk than 71% of other occupations

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

40%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $48,620

Higher risk than 79% of other occupations

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

42%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $48,310

Higher risk than 84% of other occupations

Printing Press Operators

42%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $45,160

Higher risk than 86% of other occupations

Sales Managers

25%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 20% of other occupations

Chief Executives

26%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 23% of other occupations

General and Operations Managers

28%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 29% of other occupations

Marketing Managers

30%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 38% of other occupations

Computer and Information Systems Managers

31%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 45% of other occupations

Financial Managers

Subscribed — always updated

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

-2.2

overall change

Checking for existing plan...