Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.
AI Impact Summary
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 42/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 86% of all analyzed occupations. Of 19 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 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.
Memorization 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.
Mathematics 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.
Manual Dexterity 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.
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.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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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
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
19 tasks analyzed
Monitor machine cycles and mill operation to detect jamming and to ensure that products conform to specifications.
Adjust and correct machine set-ups to reduce thicknesses, reshape products, and eliminate product defects.
Start operation of rolling and milling machines to flatten, temper, form, and reduce sheet metal sections and to produce steel strips.
Examine, inspect, and measure raw materials and finished products to verify conformance to specifications.
Read rolling orders, blueprints, and mill schedules to determine setup specifications, work sequences, product dimensions, and installation procedures.
Thread or feed sheets or rods through rolling mechanisms, or start and control mechanisms that automatically feed steel into rollers.
Manipulate controls and observe dial indicators to monitor, adjust, and regulate speeds of machine mechanisms.
Set distance points between rolls, guides, meters, and stops, according to specifications.
Calculate draft space and roll speed for each mill stand to plan rolling sequences and specified dimensions and tempers.
Install equipment such as guides, guards, gears, cooling equipment, and rolls, using hand tools.
Select rolls, dies, roll stands, and chucks from data charts to form specified contours and to fabricate products.
Position, align, and secure arbors, spindles, coils, mandrels, dies, and slitting knives.
Fill oil cups, adjust valves, and observe gauges to control flow of metal coolants and lubricants onto workpieces.
Signal and assist other workers to remove and position equipment, fill hoppers, and feed materials into machines.
Activate shears and grinders to trim workpieces.
Record mill production on schedule sheets.
Remove scratches and polish roll surfaces, using polishing stones and electric buffers.
Direct and train other workers to change rolls, operate mill equipment, remove coils and cobbles, and band and load material.
Disassemble sizing mills removed from rolling lines, and sort and store parts.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monitor machine cycles and mill operation to detect jamming and to ensure that products conform to specifications. | 80Estimated | 65.0% | 15% | |
| Adjust and correct machine set-ups to reduce thicknesses, reshape products, and eliminate product defects. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 10% | |
| Start operation of rolling and milling machines to flatten, temper, form, and reduce sheet metal sections and to produce steel strips. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 5% | |
| Examine, inspect, and measure raw materials and finished products to verify conformance to specifications. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 10% | |
| Read rolling orders, blueprints, and mill schedules to determine setup specifications, work sequences, product dimensions, and installation procedures. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 5% | |
| Thread or feed sheets or rods through rolling mechanisms, or start and control mechanisms that automatically feed steel into rollers. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 10% | |
| Manipulate controls and observe dial indicators to monitor, adjust, and regulate speeds of machine mechanisms. | 85Estimated | 67.0% | 10% | |
| Set distance points between rolls, guides, meters, and stops, according to specifications. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 5% | |
| Calculate draft space and roll speed for each mill stand to plan rolling sequences and specified dimensions and tempers. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 3% | |
| Install equipment such as guides, guards, gears, cooling equipment, and rolls, using hand tools. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 4% | |
| Select rolls, dies, roll stands, and chucks from data charts to form specified contours and to fabricate products. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 3% | |
| Position, align, and secure arbors, spindles, coils, mandrels, dies, and slitting knives. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 5% | |
| Fill oil cups, adjust valves, and observe gauges to control flow of metal coolants and lubricants onto workpieces. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 3% | |
| Signal and assist other workers to remove and position equipment, fill hoppers, and feed materials into machines. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Activate shears and grinders to trim workpieces. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 2% | |
| Record mill production on schedule sheets. | 100Estimated | 89.2% | 2% | |
| Remove scratches and polish roll surfaces, using polishing stones and electric buffers. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 2% | |
| Direct and train other workers to change rolls, operate mill equipment, remove coils and cobbles, and band and load material. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 2% | |
| Disassemble sizing mills removed from rolling lines, and sort and store parts. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 26.7%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$48,630
per year
Mean Wage
$50,940
per year
Employment
22K
workers
Wage Range
$37,090 - $67,500
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
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Alternate Career Paths
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Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
40%Median salary: $45,700
Higher risk than 81% of other occupations
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
43%Median salary: $45,130
Higher risk than 87% of other occupations
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
43%Median salary: $45,190
Higher risk than 88% of other occupations
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
45%Median salary: $47,450
Higher risk than 91% of other occupations
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
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Sales Managers
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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
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Computer and Information Systems Managers
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals should diversify beyond them.
- 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.
- Memorization
Memorization 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.
- Mathematics
Mathematics 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.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Equipment Maintenance
Equipment Maintenance 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.
- 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.
- Active Learning
Active Learning 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.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis 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