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Paper Goods 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 195 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.

Almost none of this job's tasks are the kind AI can help with or automate.

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Examine completed work to detect defects and verify conformance to work orders, and adjust machinery as necessary to correct production problems.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Observe operation of various machines to detect and correct machine malfunctions such as improper forming, glue flow, or pasteboard tension.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Install attachments to machines for gluing, folding, printing, or cutting.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Cut products to specified dimensions, using hand or power cutters.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Place rolls of paper or cardboard on machine feed tracks, and thread paper through gluing, coating, and slitting rollers.

    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.

  • Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    Very similar work
    slightly less pay191 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$50,811 vs your $54,006 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
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Near Vision
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Mechanical

    New skills to build

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

    Very similar work
    slightly less pay139 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$50,043 vs your $54,006 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
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Near Vision
    • Operation and Control
    • Control Precision

    New skills to build

    • Response Orientation
  • Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Similar work
    slightly less pay360 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$51,031 vs your $54,006 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

    New skills to build

    • Design
    • Control Precision
    • Visualization
  • Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Somewhat similar work
    slightly less pay132 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$50,412 vs your $54,006 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
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Near Vision
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Control Precision

    Your current skills largely cover this move.