Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
AI Impact Summary
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 40/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 79% of all analyzed occupations. Of 18 analyzed tasks, 5 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.
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
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.
Coordination 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.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Lathe and Turning 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
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Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path
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Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
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Estimated Impact
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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
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
18 tasks analyzed
Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.
Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.
Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met.
Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments.
Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.
Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences.
Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces.
Select cutting tools and tooling instructions, according to written specifications or knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
Refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines.
Install holding fixtures, cams, gears, and stops to control stock and tool movement, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments.
Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
Lift metal stock or workpieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools.
Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces.
Turn valve handles to direct the flow of coolant onto work areas or to coat disks with spinning compounds.
Mount attachments, such as relieving or tracing attachments, to perform operations, such as duplicating contours of templates or trimming workpieces.
Clean work area.
Program computer numerical control machines.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 8% | |
| Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 5% | |
| Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators. | 62Estimated | 74.0% | 8% | |
| Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 10% | |
| Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 8% | |
| Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 6% | |
| Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 6% | |
| Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 6% | |
| Select cutting tools and tooling instructions, according to written specifications or knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 5% | |
| Refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines. | 25Estimated | 43.0% | 3% | |
| Install holding fixtures, cams, gears, and stops to control stock and tool movement, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 5% | |
| Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 4% | |
| Lift metal stock or workpieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 8% | |
| Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces. | 25Estimated | 43.0% | 5% | |
| Turn valve handles to direct the flow of coolant onto work areas or to coat disks with spinning compounds. | 25Estimated | 43.0% | 3% | |
| Mount attachments, such as relieving or tracing attachments, to perform operations, such as duplicating contours of templates or trimming workpieces. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 2% | |
| Clean work area. | 25Estimated | 43.0% | 3% | |
| Program computer numerical control machines. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 5% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 24.6%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$48,620
per year
Mean Wage
$50,190
per year
Employment
19K
workers
Wage Range
$36,200 - $65,450
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
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Alternate Career Paths
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Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
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Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
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Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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Higher risk than 88% of other occupations
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
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Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
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Advertising and Promotions Managers
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Lathe and Turning 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
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- 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.
- Coordination
Coordination 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.
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