As of June 2026, Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic has an AI-exposure score of 58/100 (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.
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
More exposed than 60% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$47,180. About 12,800 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.
How you compare to similar Production roles
Your tasks, by AI exposure
- Record operational data, such as pressure readings, lengths of strokes, feed rates, or speeds.
- Write programs for computer numerical control (CNC) machines to cut metal and plastic materials.
- Remove burrs, sharp edges, rust, or scale from workpieces, using files, hand grinders, wire brushes, or power tools.
- Extract or lift jammed pieces from machines, using fingers, wire hooks, or lift bars.
- Start machines and turn handwheels or valves to engage feeding, cooling, and lubricating mechanisms.
- Observe machine operation to detect workpiece defects or machine malfunctions, adjusting machines as necessary.
- Instruct other workers in machine set-up and operation.
- Perform minor machine maintenance, such as oiling or cleaning machines, dies, or workpieces, or adding coolant to machine reservoirs.
- Change worn machine accessories, such as cutting tools or brushes, using hand tools.
- Compute data, such as gear dimensions or machine settings, applying knowledge of shop mathematics.
- Move controls or mount gears, cams, or templates in machines to set feed rates and cutting speeds, depths, and angles.
- Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools.
- Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences.
- Set machine stops or guides to specified lengths as indicated by scales, rules, or templates.
- Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, cutters, shears, borers, millers, grinders, presses, drills, or auxiliary machines, to make metallic and plastic workpieces.
- Select the proper coolants and lubricants and start their flow.
- Position, adjust, and secure stock material or workpieces against stops, on arbors, or in chucks, fixtures, or automatic feeding mechanisms, manually or using hoists.
- Make minor electrical and mechanical repairs and adjustments to machines and notify supervisors when major service is required.
- Measure and mark reference points and cutting lines on workpieces, using traced templates, compasses, and rules.
- Inspect workpieces for defects, and measure workpieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates, or other measuring instruments.
No durable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (90%).
Safer adjacent roles
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
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