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Machine Feeders and Offbearers

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 94 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 production and operational data, such as amount of materials processed.

    AI could do much of this on its own

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Inspect materials and products for defects, and to ensure conformance to specifications.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Push dual control buttons and move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Weigh or measure materials or products to ensure conformance to specifications.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Identify and mark materials, products, and samples, following instructions.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Clean and maintain machinery, equipment, and work areas to ensure proper functioning and safe working conditions.

    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.

  • Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand

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    +3% pay11,417 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 3% more—$45,611 vs your $44,400 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
    • Control Precision
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Near Vision
    • Reaction Time

    New skills to build

    • Customer and Personal Service
  • Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

    Very similar work
    +9% pay31 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 9% more—$48,321 vs your $44,400 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

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

    New skills to build

    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Repairing
  • Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

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    +34% pay72 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 34% more—$59,412 vs your $44,400 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—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
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Reaction Time
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
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    New skills to build

    • Operation and Control
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Repairing
    • Systems Analysis
    • Response Orientation
  • Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

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    slightly less pay32 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$43,096 vs your $44,400 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—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
    • Production and Processing
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Reaction Time

    New skills to build

    • Operation and Control
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Repairing
    • Systems Analysis
    • Chemistry
  • Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Similar work
    +8% pay236 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 8% more—$48,003 vs your $44,400 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—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
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Reaction Time
    • Near Vision

    New skills to build

    • Operation and Control
    • Equipment Maintenance
  • Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

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    Pays about 3% more—$45,680 vs your $44,400 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—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
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Reaction Time
    • Control Precision

    New skills to build

    • Operation and Control
    • Perceptual Speed
    • Repairing
  • Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

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    +14% pay191 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 14% more—$50,811 vs your $44,400 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—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
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Production and Processing
    • Reaction Time

    New skills to build

    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Quality Control Analysis
    • Operation and Control
    • Finger Dexterity
    • Repairing
  • Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders

    Similar work
    slightly less pay1,693 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$40,228 vs your $44,400 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—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
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Mechanical

    New skills to build

    • Customer and Personal Service
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  • Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

    Somewhat similar work
    +1% pay116 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 1% more—$44,721 vs your $44,400 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—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
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Reaction Time
    • Mechanical
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    New skills to build

    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Repairing
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    • Visualization
  • Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    Somewhat similar work
    +22% pay195 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 22% more—$54,006 vs your $44,400 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—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
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Mechanical
    • Control Precision

    New skills to build

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

    Somewhat similar work
    +14% pay132 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 14% more—$50,412 vs your $44,400 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—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
    • Production and Processing
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Reaction Time
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    New skills to build

    • Operation and Control
    • Quality Control Analysis