AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 51-6042.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders?

Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.

Estimated AI task exposure
14%

Low exposure

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

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

Digital/info work

21/100

Physical moat

49/100

Human moat

14/100

Rating coverage

100%

19 task statements / 19 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Perform routine equipment maintenance such as cleaning and lubricating machines or replacing broken needles.
Importance 82/100Relevance 98/100Frequency 74/100Weight 0.86
Align parts to be stitched, following seams, edges, or markings, before positioning them under needles.
Importance 92/100Relevance 81/100Frequency 85/100Weight 0.86
Inspect finished products to ensure that shoes have been completed according to specifications.
Importance 92/100Relevance 82/100Frequency 81/100Weight 0.86
Switch on machines, lower pressure feet or rollers to secure parts, and start machine stitching, using hand, foot, or knee controls.
Importance 85/100Relevance 86/100Frequency 84/100Weight 0.85
Test machinery to ensure proper functioning before beginning production.
Importance 80/100Relevance 92/100Frequency 72/100Weight 0.83
Study work orders or shoe part tags to obtain information about workloads, specifications, and the types of materials to be used.
Importance 84/100Relevance 85/100Frequency 79/100Weight 0.83
Operate or tend machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.
Importance 87/100Relevance 75/100Frequency 86/100Weight 0.82
Cut excess thread or material from shoe parts, using scissors or knives.
Importance 78/100Relevance 84/100Frequency 85/100Weight 0.82
Remove and examine shoes, shoe parts, and designs to verify conformance to specifications such as proper embedding of stitches in channels.
Importance 86/100Relevance 76/100Frequency 85/100Weight 0.82
Draw thread through machine guide slots, needles, and presser feet in preparation for stitching, or load rolls of wire through machine axles.
Importance 84/100Relevance 81/100Frequency 77/100Weight 0.81

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

$35,650

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

3,280

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

-6.9%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

0

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

Fence Erectors

6%

8 points lower exposure • 94% profile similarity

Median wage: $47,980 Growth 2025–2035: +5.6% Annual openings: 2

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Tree Trimmers and Pruners

5%

9 points lower exposure • 92% profile similarity

Median wage: $50,960 Growth 2025–2035: +4.2% Annual openings: 8

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

5%

9 points lower exposure • 92% profile similarity

Median wage: $78,240 Growth 2025–2035: -8.7% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Pourers and Casters, Metal

5%

9 points lower exposure • 93% profile similarity

Median wage: $51,810 Growth 2025–2035: -5.0% Annual openings: 0

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians

5%

9 points lower exposure • 92% profile similarity

Median wage: $35,450 Growth 2025–2035: -1.3% Annual openings: 1

stronger human/judgment moat, more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Medical Appliance Technicians

5%

9 points lower exposure • 92% profile similarity

Median wage: $48,030 Growth 2025–2035: +3.5% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work

Personalized career defense protocol

AI-Proofing Plan

AUTOMATE

    AUGMENT

    • administrative support tasks
    • planning and documentation

    PROTECT

      LEARN

      • 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.