Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle 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 second 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 second 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 second 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 12% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Record gauge readings, test results, and shift production in log books.
AI could do much of this on its own
Read and interpret work orders and instructions to determine work assignments, process specifications, and production schedules.
AI could do much of this on its own
Tasks AI can't do much of
Monitor equipment operation, gauges, and panel lights to detect deviations from standards.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Confer with supervisors or other equipment operators to report equipment malfunctions or to resolve production problems.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Press and adjust controls to activate, set, and regulate equipment according to specifications.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Stop equipment and clear blockages or jams, using fingers, wire, or hand tools.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Examine or test samples of processed substances, or collect samples for laboratory testing, to ensure conformance to specifications.
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.
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
Very similar workslightly less pay45 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$47,350 vs your $50,408 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
- Operation and Control
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Very similar work+1% pay418 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 1% more—$50,777 vs your $50,408 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
- Mechanical
- Control Precision
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Chemistry
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- Law and Government
- Mathematics
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Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Very similar work+8% pay313 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 8% more—$54,380 vs your $50,408 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
- Oral Comprehension
- Production and Processing
- Operation and Control
New skills to build
- Repairing
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Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Very similar work+18% pay72 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 18% more—$59,412 vs your $50,408 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
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Reaction Time
- Operation and Control
New skills to build
- Repairing
- Hearing Sensitivity
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- Rate Control
- Response Orientation
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Similar work+14% pay272 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 14% more—$57,270 vs your $50,408 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
- Mechanical
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Repairing
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
Similar work+35% pay60 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 35% more—$67,952 vs your $50,408 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
- Mechanical
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
New skills to build
- Glare Sensitivity
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Production and Processing
- Administration and Management
- Equipment Maintenance
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Similar workslightly less pay231 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$45,680 vs your $50,408 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
- Mechanical
- Near Vision
- Reaction Time
- Production and Processing
New skills to build
- Visualization
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Far Vision
- Rate Control
- Repairing
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Similar work+24% pay39 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 24% more—$62,279 vs your $50,408 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
- Mechanical
- Control Precision
- Problem Sensitivity
New skills to build
- Rate Control
- Repairing
- Response Orientation
- Equipment Maintenance
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Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Somewhat similar workabout the same pay132 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about the same—$50,412 vs your $50,408 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
- Control Precision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Reaction Time
New skills to build
- Visualization
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Somewhat similar work+42% pay4,530 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 42% more—$71,717 vs your $50,408 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Operations Monitoring
- Near Vision
- Mechanical
- Control Precision
- Problem Sensitivity
New skills to build
- Repairing
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Equipment Selection
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Somewhat similar work+38% pay222 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 38% more—$69,527 vs your $50,408 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Operations Monitoring
- Mechanical
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Production and Processing
New skills to build
- Repairing
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Installation
- Design