Molding, Coremaking, and Casting 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 268 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 14% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Measure and visually inspect products for surface and dimension defects to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Read specifications, blueprints, and work orders to determine setups, temperatures, and time settings required to mold, form, or cast plastic materials, as well as to plan production sequences.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Inventory and record quantities of materials and finished products, requisitioning additional supplies as necessary.
AI could do much of this on its own
Maintain inventories of materials.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Turn valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure, temperature, and speed and feed rates, and to set cycle times.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Observe meters and gauges to verify and record temperatures, pressures, and press-cycle times.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Connect water hoses to cooling systems of dies, using 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.
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Very similar work+10% pay139 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 10% more—$50,043 vs your $45,519 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
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- Manual Dexterity
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Your current skills largely cover this move.
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Very similar workabout the same pay231 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about the same—$45,680 vs your $45,519 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
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New skills to build
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Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Very similar work+5% pay236 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 5% more—$48,003 vs your $45,519 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
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- Near Vision
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Your current skills largely cover this move.
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Very similar work+12% pay360 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 12% more—$51,031 vs your $45,519 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
- Mechanical
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New skills to build
- Design
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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
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Your current skills largely cover this move.
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Similar work+6% pay31 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 6% more—$48,321 vs your $45,519 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
- Mechanical
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Your current skills largely cover this move.
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
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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
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New skills to build
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Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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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
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New skills to build
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Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
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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
- Production and Processing
- Near Vision
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New skills to build
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Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Somewhat similar work+3% pay185 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 3% more—$46,989 vs your $45,519 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
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- Manual Dexterity
- Near Vision
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New skills to build
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Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Somewhat similar work+12% pay191 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 12% more—$50,811 vs your $45,519 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
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- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Production and Processing
- Manual Dexterity
Your current skills largely cover this move.