Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
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 58 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 10% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Record operational information on specified production reports.
AI could do much of this on its own
Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics.
AI could do much of this on its own
Tasks AI can't do much of
Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.
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.
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Very similar work+14% pay1,288 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 14% more—$60,485 vs your $53,272 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
- Near Vision
- Production and Processing
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Control Precision
- Visualization
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Very similar work+6% pay112 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 6% more—$56,333 vs your $53,272 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
- Visualization
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Production and Processing
New skills to build
- Mathematics
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Very similar workslightly less pay236 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$48,003 vs your $53,272 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
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Operations Monitoring
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Very similar workslightly less pay191 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$50,811 vs your $53,272 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
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Production and Processing
- Visualization
- Operations Monitoring
New skills to build
- Quality Control Analysis
- Finger Dexterity
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Similar workslightly less pay132 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$50,412 vs your $53,272 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
- Near Vision
- Production and Processing
- Control Precision
- Visualization
- Operations Monitoring
New skills to build
- Quality Control Analysis
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Similar workslightly less pay360 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$51,031 vs your $53,272 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
- Production and Processing
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Visualization
- Operations Monitoring
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Quality Control Analysis
- Psychology
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Similar workslightly less pay139 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$50,043 vs your $53,272 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
- Production and Processing
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Operations Monitoring
- Manual Dexterity
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
Somewhat similar work+29% pay51 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 29% more—$68,591 vs your $53,272 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Production and Processing
- Visualization
- Operations Monitoring
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
- Equipment Maintenance
- Installation