Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
The short answer
This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 236 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.
AI can help with or automate about 3% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Scribe reference lines on workpieces as guides for cutting operations, according to blueprints, templates, sample parts, or specifications.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Lubricate workpieces with oil.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Install, align, and lock specified punches, dies, cutting blades, or other fixtures in rams or beds of machines, using gauges, templates, feelers, shims, and hand tools.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Very similar work+6% pay360 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 6% more—$51,031 vs your $48,003 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Operations Monitoring
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Reaction Time
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Very similar work+6% pay191 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 6% more—$50,811 vs your $48,003 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
New skills to build
- Administration and Management
- Finger Dexterity
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Very similar work+5% pay132 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 5% more—$50,412 vs your $48,003 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Reaction Time
New skills to build
- Administration and Management
- Production and Processing
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
Very similar workslightly less pay108 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$43,215 vs your $48,003 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Reaction Time
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Similar workslightly less pay116 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$44,721 vs your $48,003 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Reaction Time
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Similar work+4% pay139 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 4% more—$50,043 vs your $48,003 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Reaction Time
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Production and Processing
- Administration and Management
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Similar workslightly less pay231 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$45,680 vs your $48,003 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Reaction Time
New skills to build
- Production and Processing
- Computers and Electronics
- Food Production
- Administration and Management
- Perceptual Speed
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Similar work+1% pay31 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 1% more—$48,321 vs your $48,003 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Operations Monitoring
- Multilimb Coordination
New skills to build
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Somewhat similar work+13% pay195 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 13% more—$54,006 vs your $48,003 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Operations Monitoring
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Operation and Control
- Control Precision
New skills to build
- Customer and Personal Service
- Production and Processing
Machine Feeders and Offbearers
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay94 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$44,400 vs your $48,003 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Operations Monitoring
- Reaction Time
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Public Safety and Security