As of June 2026, Machinists has an AI-exposure score of 55/100 (Elevated exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.

AI Exposure Score for

Machinists

55/100
Elevated exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 49% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$58,750. About 29,500 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).

Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.

Where are you in your career? (optional — tailors the context)

How you compare to similar Production roles

Machinists (you)
55
Food Batchmakers
55
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
55
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
55
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
55
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
55
See all roles by exposure →
Know someone whose job is changing? Share your score.
Post Share Score card
Every share sends them to their own free scan.
Create a free account to follow this role and get weekly AI-safe matches.

Your tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable
  • Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.
Augmentable
  • Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
  • Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products.
  • Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
  • Evaluate machining procedures and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability.
  • Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.
  • Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.
  • Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
  • Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
  • Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
  • Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
  • Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
  • Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
  • Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs.
  • Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
  • Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal.
  • Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
  • Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
  • Dispose of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations.
Durable
  • Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.

Safer adjacent roles

YOUR ROLE TODAY
Machinists 55
→
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators 80% overlap57Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 72% overlap50Tool and Die Makers 64% overlap46
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
80% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$50,690
57
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
72% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$52,800
50
Tool and Die Makers
64% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$64,050
46
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
56% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$50,620
48
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
48% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$47,180
58
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
40% skills overlap · High exposure · ~US$68,120
70
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$65,380
48
Millwrights
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$65,700
49

Your AI-Safe Career Report

Every task scored with what to do about it · 5–10 safer roles with salary, demand & reachability · skill-gap map · a 30/60/90-day roadmap · plus a résumé & LinkedIn rewrite · PDF.
Grounded in O*NET + the Anthropic Economic Index + BLS — personalized to your role.

Workers with AI skills earn a roughly 62% wage premium — adapting pays. — PwC Global AI Jobs Barometer, 2026

Personalize it: paste your résumé & LinkedIn (optional) — your rewrite is included in the report
Used only to generate your report. You can delete it anytime via delete my data.
Personalize my plan (optional, 20 sec — tailors your safer roles & recommendation)
14-day money-back guarantee One-time · kept forever · no subscription

Instant delivery — your personalized report is ready about a minute after checkout.

Get ahead: a rising skill on this path is Critical Thinking. Explore courses →
Some course links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.

Scan your own job

Machinists — median pay by US state (BLS OEWS, USD)

New York: US$60,920Texas: US$59,180California: US$57,190

Median annual wage, in USD. US national: US$58,750. More states are being added.

More Production roles

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
Browse all industries · Safest jobs from AI