AI JOB SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 51-9022.00 / model V14 rated-task + local-market engine

Will AI replace
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand?

Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.

Estimated AI task exposure
28%

Low-Moderate exposure

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

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

Digital/info work

45/100

Physical moat

68/100

Human moat

19/100

Rating coverage

100%

17 task statements / 17 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Grind, sand, clean, or polish objects or parts to correct defects or to prepare surfaces for further finishing, using hand tools and power tools.
Importance 89/100Relevance 94/100Frequency 86/100Weight 0.90
Verify quality of finished workpieces by inspecting them, comparing them to templates, measuring their dimensions, or testing them in working machinery.
Importance 90/100Relevance 87/100Frequency 86/100Weight 0.88
Load and adjust workpieces onto equipment or work tables, using hand tools.
Importance 79/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 76/100Weight 0.86
Trim, scrape, or deburr objects or parts, using chisels, scrapers, and other hand tools and equipment.
Importance 86/100Relevance 85/100Frequency 86/100Weight 0.85
Measure and mark equipment, objects, or parts to ensure grinding and polishing standards are met.
Importance 86/100Relevance 81/100Frequency 81/100Weight 0.83
Select files or other abrasives, according to materials, sizes and shapes of workpieces, amount of stock to be removed, finishes specified, and steps in finishing processes.
Importance 76/100Relevance 92/100Frequency 76/100Weight 0.82
Move controls to adjust, start, or stop equipment during grinding and polishing processes.
Importance 80/100Relevance 86/100Frequency 77/100Weight 0.82
Mark defects, such as knotholes, cracks, and splits, for repair.
Importance 85/100Relevance 74/100Frequency 67/100Weight 0.76
Study blueprints or layouts to determine how to lay out workpieces or saw out templates.
Importance 84/100Relevance 71/100Frequency 72/100Weight 0.76
Transfer equipment, objects, or parts to specified work areas, using moving devices.
Importance 61/100Relevance 97/100Frequency 60/100Weight 0.74

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

$42,660

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

10,510

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

-19.2%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

1

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.

CHECK PAY WHERE YOU LIVE

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

Helpers--Extraction Workers

5%

23 points lower exposure • 87% profile similarity

Median wage: $47,730 Growth 2025–2035: +1.7% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

5%

23 points lower exposure • 86% profile similarity

Median wage: $56,210 Growth 2025–2035: +4.4% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

9%

19 points lower exposure • 89% profile similarity

Median wage: $61,010 Growth 2025–2035: +10.9% Annual openings: 41

more physical-world work, lower AI leverage
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

5%

23 points lower exposure • 86% profile similarity

Median wage: $65,510 Growth 2025–2035: +6.7% Annual openings: 15

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Millwrights

5%

23 points lower exposure • 87% profile similarity

Median wage: $65,700 Growth 2025–2035: +0.9% Annual openings: 3

less digital task exposure, lower AI leverage
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic

6%

22 points lower exposure • 88% profile similarity

Median wage: $63,870 Growth 2025–2035: -3.4% Annual openings: 0

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure

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
    I am your guide.
    Knowledge is your strongest upgrade.