As of June 2026, Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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

Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

55/100
Elevated exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 49% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$50,140. About 1,900 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.

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How you compare to similar Production roles

Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (you)
55
Food Batchmakers
55
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
55
Machinists
55
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
55
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
55
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Your tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable
  • Record mill production on schedule sheets.
  • Calculate draft space and roll speed for each mill stand to plan rolling sequences and specified dimensions and tempers.
  • Read rolling orders, blueprints, and mill schedules to determine setup specifications, work sequences, product dimensions, and installation procedures.
Augmentable
  • Disassemble sizing mills removed from rolling lines, and sort and store parts.
  • Direct and train other workers to change rolls, operate mill equipment, remove coils and cobbles, and band and load material.
  • Monitor machine cycles and mill operation to detect jamming and to ensure that products conform to specifications.
  • 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.
  • Manipulate controls and observe dial indicators to monitor, adjust, and regulate speeds of machine mechanisms.
  • 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.
  • Thread or feed sheets or rods through rolling mechanisms, or start and control mechanisms that automatically feed steel into rollers.
  • Set distance points between rolls, guides, meters, and stops, according to specifications.
  • Start operation of rolling and milling machines to flatten, temper, form, and reduce sheet metal sections and to produce steel strips.
  • Adjust and correct machine set-ups to reduce thicknesses, reshape products, and eliminate product defects.
  • Activate shears and grinders to trim workpieces.
  • Remove scratches and polish roll surfaces, using polishing stones and electric buffers.
  • Examine, inspect, and measure raw materials and finished products to verify conformance to specifications.
Durable

No durable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (84%).

Safer adjacent roles

Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
80% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$46,570
53
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
72% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$46,330
46
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
64% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$50,620
48
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
48% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$52,800
50
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$43,380
41
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$47,180
58
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$42,660
41

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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.