AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 51-4031.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

Estimated AI task exposure
5%

Low exposure

V11 weights occupation tasks using O*NET Importance, Relevance and Frequency ratings instead of treating every task equally.

31 tasks have usable Task Rating records; weighted-task coverage is 100%.

Digital/info work

24/100

Physical moat

79/100

Human moat

9/100

Rating coverage

100%

31 task statements / 31 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
Importance 89/100Relevance 82/100Frequency 83/100Weight 0.85
Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
Importance 92/100Relevance 75/100Frequency 88/100Weight 0.85
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
Importance 85/100Relevance 86/100Frequency 82/100Weight 0.85
Clean work area.
Importance 71/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 79/100Weight 0.84
Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
Importance 86/100Relevance 76/100Frequency 86/100Weight 0.82
Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
Importance 87/100Relevance 74/100Frequency 80/100Weight 0.80
Load workpieces, plastic material, or chemical solutions into machines.
Importance 81/100Relevance 69/100Frequency 78/100Weight 0.76
Test and adjust machine speeds or actions, according to product specifications, using gauges and hand tools.
Importance 81/100Relevance 69/100Frequency 74/100Weight 0.75
Position, align, and secure workpieces against fixtures or stops on machine beds or on dies.
Importance 82/100Relevance 64/100Frequency 91/100Weight 0.77
Adjust ram strokes of presses to specified lengths, using hand tools.
Importance 84/100Relevance 56/100Frequency 89/100Weight 0.75

Task weighting

Each rated task receives a composite weight: 38% relevance, 37% importance and 25% frequency. Core tasks receive a small additional multiplier. Low-precision rows flagged by O*NET for suppression are excluded.

Occupation scoring

When rating coverage is strong, rated tasks contribute 60% of the digital, physical and human task signals and Work Activities contribute 40%. Lower-coverage occupations automatically rely more on Work Activities.

U.S. labor market

BLS Wage & Employment Outlook

Median annual wage

$46,330

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

171,200

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

-10.5%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

13

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

BLS labor-market figures are separate from the site's AI-exposure model. Missing values mean a compatible detailed BLS occupation estimate was not published or could not be mapped.

Career pivot radar

Safer Career Alternatives

These options are selected from the same 923-occupation model. They favor a similar task/work profile with meaningfully lower estimated AI exposure. They are suggestions for exploration, not guarantees of job fit.

SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

5%

similar low-exposure profile • 99% profile similarity

Median wage: $46,680 Growth 2025–2035: -2.9% Annual openings: 7

similar work profile with lower modeled exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians

5%

similar low-exposure profile • 97% profile similarity

Median wage: $63,800 Growth 2025–2035: +6.8% Annual openings: 42

stronger human/judgment moat
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

5%

similar low-exposure profile • 98% profile similarity

Median wage: $34,890 Growth 2025–2035: +4.3% Annual openings: 28

similar work profile with lower modeled exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

5%

similar low-exposure profile • 97% profile similarity

Median wage: $65,380 Growth 2025–2035: -5.6% Annual openings: 3

similar work profile with lower modeled exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters

5%

similar low-exposure profile • 97% profile similarity

Median wage: $51,330 Growth 2025–2035: -6.2% Annual openings: 5

similar work profile with lower modeled exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

5%

similar low-exposure profile • 97% profile similarity

Median wage: $61,770 Growth 2025–2035: +3.6% Annual openings: 24

more physical-world work

Personalized career defense protocol

AI-Proofing Plan

AUTOMATE

    AUGMENT

    • administrative support tasks
    • planning and documentation

    PROTECT

    • physical-world execution
    • on-site troubleshooting
    • dexterity and equipment interaction

    LEARN

    • AI-assisted diagnostics
    • digital documentation
    • basic AI literacy

    AI-PROOFING RESOURCES

    What this score does not mean

    The percentage is a comparative task-exposure index. It is not the probability that this occupation disappears, that a worker is laid off, or that AI can perform the entire job.

    New in V11

    Find a Safer Career Path

    High exposure does not mean starting over. V11 compares your occupation with the other 922 O*NET occupations and surfaces lower-exposure options with similar work profiles.

    EXPLORE CAREER ALTERNATIVES
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    Knowledge is your strongest upgrade.