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Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting 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 231 openings expected each year.

Step 1

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

Least exposedband 1 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

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.

Step 2

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 8% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Record and maintain production data, such as meter readings, and quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  2. Complete work tickets, and place them with products.

    AI could do much of this on its own

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Activate machines to shape or form products, such as candy bars, light bulbs, balloons, or insulation panels.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Monitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

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.

  • Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Very similar work
    slightly less pay268 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$45,519 vs your $45,680 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
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Operation and Control
    • Mechanical
    • Production and Processing

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Very similar work
    +10% pay139 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 10% more—$50,043 vs your $45,680 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
    • Reaction Time
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Operation and Control
    • Manual Dexterity

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

    Very similar work
    slightly less pay32 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$43,096 vs your $45,680 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
    • Production and Processing
    • Operation and Control
    • Mechanical
    • Reaction Time

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Very similar work
    +5% pay236 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 5% more—$48,003 vs your $45,680 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

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    Similar work
    +30% pay72 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 30% more—$59,412 vs your $45,680 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
    • Reaction Time
    • Rate Control
    • Near Vision

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    Similar work
    +18% pay195 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 18% more—$54,006 vs your $45,680 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
    • Mechanical
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Near Vision
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

    Similar work
    +3% pay185 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 3% more—$46,989 vs your $45,680 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

    • Production and Processing
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Visualization
    • Near Vision
    • Finger Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Design
    • Fine Arts
  • Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    Similar work
    +11% pay191 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 11% more—$50,811 vs your $45,680 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
    • Reaction Time
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Production and Processing

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

    Similar work
    +6% pay31 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 6% more—$48,321 vs your $45,680 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

    • Production and Processing
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Mechanical
    • Near Vision
    • Finger Dexterity

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Somewhat similar work
    +10% pay132 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 10% more—$50,412 vs your $45,680 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
    • Reaction Time
    • Production and Processing
    • Near Vision

    New skills to build

    • Control Precision
  • Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

    Somewhat similar work
    slightly less pay116 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$44,721 vs your $45,680 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

    • Reaction Time
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Mechanical
    • Operation and Control
    • Visualization

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Machine Feeders and Offbearers

    Somewhat similar work
    slightly less pay94 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$44,400 vs your $45,680 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

    • Production and Processing
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Reaction Time
    • Control Precision

    Your current skills largely cover this move.