Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment 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 45 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 9% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Record gauge readings, materials used, processing times, or test results in production logs.
AI could do much of this on its own
Tasks AI can't do much of
Add specified amounts of chemicals to equipment at required times to maintain solution levels and concentrations.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Observe machine operations, gauges, or thermometers, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Set controls to regulate temperature and length of cycles, and start conveyors, pumps, agitators, and machines.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Draw samples for laboratory analysis, or test solutions for conformance to specifications, such as acidity or specific gravity.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Adjust, clean, and lubricate mechanical parts of machines, using hand tools and grease guns.
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.
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Very similar work+25% pay72 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 25% more—$59,412 vs your $47,350 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
- Operation and Control
- Control Precision
- Perceptual Speed
New skills to build
- Public Safety and Security
- Rate Control
- Administrative
- Operations Monitoring
- Reaction Time
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
Very similar workslightly less pay32 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$43,096 vs your $47,350 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
- Perceptual Speed
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Computers and Electronics
- Repairing
- Rate Control
- Operations Monitoring
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
Similar work+44% pay60 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 44% more—$67,952 vs your $47,350 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
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Perceptual Speed
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
- Control Precision
- Operations Monitoring
- Glare Sensitivity
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Similar workslightly less pay55 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$46,555 vs your $47,350 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
- Operation and Control
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
New skills to build
- Mathematics
- Design
- Physics
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay231 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$45,680 vs your $47,350 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
- Perceptual Speed
New skills to build
- Computers and Electronics
- Reaction Time
- Rate Control
- Visualization
- Repairing
Machine Feeders and Offbearers
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay94 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$44,400 vs your $47,350 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
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Control Precision
- Operations Monitoring
New skills to build
- Rate Control
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Somewhat similar work+6% pay132 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 6% more—$50,412 vs your $47,350 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
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Perceptual Speed
New skills to build
- Reaction Time
- Control Precision
- Quality Control Analysis
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics