Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
AI Impact Summary
Maintenance Workers, Machinery faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 30/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 37% of all analyzed occupations. Of 18 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.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity 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.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Maintenance Workers, Machinery 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
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
by Google
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
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
18 tasks analyzed
Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems.
Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance.
Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs.
Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work.
Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists.
Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications.
Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment.
Inventory and requisition machine parts, equipment, and other supplies so that stock can be maintained and replenished.
Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information.
Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations.
Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment, according to specified procedures.
Collect and discard worn machine parts and other refuse to maintain machinery and work areas.
Clean machines and machine parts, using cleaning solvents, cloths, air guns, hoses, vacuums, or other equipment.
Transport machine parts, tools, equipment, and other material between work areas and storage, using cranes, hoists, or dollies.
Replace, empty, or replenish machine and equipment containers such as gas tanks or boxes.
Replace or repair metal, wood, leather, glass, or other lining in machines, or in equipment compartments or containers.
Remove hardened material from machines or machine parts, using abrasives, power and hand tools, jackhammers, sledgehammers, or other equipment.
Measure, mix, prepare, and test chemical solutions used to clean or repair machinery and equipment.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 8% | |
| Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 5% | |
| Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 8% | |
| Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 10% | |
| Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 10% | |
| Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 10% | |
| Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 5% | |
| Inventory and requisition machine parts, equipment, and other supplies so that stock can be maintained and replenished. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 4% | |
| Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 5% | |
| Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 5% | |
| Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment, according to specified procedures. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 5% | |
| Collect and discard worn machine parts and other refuse to maintain machinery and work areas. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 3% | |
| Clean machines and machine parts, using cleaning solvents, cloths, air guns, hoses, vacuums, or other equipment. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Transport machine parts, tools, equipment, and other material between work areas and storage, using cranes, hoists, or dollies. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 5% | |
| Replace, empty, or replenish machine and equipment containers such as gas tanks or boxes. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 3% | |
| Replace or repair metal, wood, leather, glass, or other lining in machines, or in equipment compartments or containers. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 4% | |
| Remove hardened material from machines or machine parts, using abrasives, power and hand tools, jackhammers, sledgehammers, or other equipment. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 3% | |
| Measure, mix, prepare, and test chemical solutions used to clean or repair machinery and equipment. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 27.4%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$60,500
per year
Mean Wage
$61,820
per year
Employment
57K
workers
Wage Range
$40,080 - $83,560
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
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Higher risk than 4% of other occupations
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Rail Car Repairers
20%Median salary: $65,680
Higher risk than 6% of other occupations
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
24%Median salary: $63,760
Higher risk than 16% of other occupations
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
30%Median salary: $67,370
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Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
34%Median salary: $39,950
Higher risk than 63% of other occupations
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
35%Median salary: $61,870
Higher risk than 66% of other occupations
Wellhead Pumpers
42%Median salary: $70,010
Higher risk than 86% of other occupations
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
43%Median salary: $71,510
Higher risk than 87% of other occupations
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders
43%Median salary: $40,160
Higher risk than 87% of other occupations
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
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Maintenance Workers, Machinery 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.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Equipment Maintenance
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination 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.
- 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.
- Monitoring
Monitoring 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