All occupations › ProductionCan AI Replace Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in 2026? Lower exposure. AI could handle about 11% of today's multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic tasks by 2036, and there is a 14% chance the number of jobs falls by a fifth or more. AI mostly assists people in this role.
See how not to be replaced
Timeline Year 2030 Chance of 20%+ fewer jobs
10% 2030 · 14% 2036
One person could cover, 2036
~1 roles
0% 50% 100% 2026 2028 2030 2032 2034 2036 2026: 5% 2027: 5% 2028: 6% 2029: 6% 2030: 7% 2031: 8% 2032: 9% 2033: 10% 2034: 11% 2035: 11% 2036: 11% 7% Share of today's tasks AI can perform 40 80 120 2026 2028 2030 2032 2034 2036 2026: 100 2027: 99 2028: 99 2029: 98 2030: 97 2031: 97 2032: 96 2033: 96 2034: 95 2035: 95 2036: 94 97 Headcount index, 2025 = 100 (dashed line) Your survival map Not every part of your job is at the same risk. Tap a number to see what to do about each task.
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1 Inspect workpieces for defects, and measure workpieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates, or other measuring instruments. 2 Position, adjust, and secure stock material or workpieces against stops, on arbors, or in chucks, fixtures, or automatic feeding mechanisms, manually or using hoists. 3 Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools. 4 Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences. 5 Compute data, such as gear dimensions or machine settings, applying knowledge of shop mathematics. 6 Write programs for computer numerical control (CNC) machines to cut metal and plastic materials. Similar occupations Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Based on 21 O*NET tasks for "Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic" (SOC 51-4081.00). LLM alone: 8% of tasks; with AI tools: 13%. Projections are a model, not official statistics. How we calculate this · Data version 2026-10
