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AI Job Risk

Occupation baseline · Research consensus

Will AI replace Machinists?

Lower risk

Baseline AI displacement risk for Machinists, aggregated from 9 research sources.

What this score means

Machinists is among the least exposed roles in Manufacturing. Most of what the job involves still sits outside what current AI can do, even as the tools around it keep changing. At 24 out of 100 it scores 5 points above the Manufacturing average of 19. Across the 9 sources behind this baseline, individual estimates run from 5 to 50, so the score is a weighted consensus rather than any single figure.

The number is a consensus estimate for the typical version of the role, built from published academic and industry research scored occupation by occupation. It is not a prediction about any individual. How scoring works

What this job actually involves

Exposure follows the work itself rather than the job title, so it is worth seeing what the role is made of. These are the tasks O*NET records for Machinists, most central first, showing 12 of 29.

  • 01Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
  • 02Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
  • 03Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
  • 04Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
  • 05Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
  • 06Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products.
  • 07Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
  • 08Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
  • 09Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
  • 10Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
  • 11Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.
  • 12Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.

Task statements from O*NET by the National Center for O*NET Development, used under CC BY 4.0. The tasks are descriptive; the exposure score above is ours.

The research behind this score

This baseline aggregates 9 research sources that scored Machinists for AI and automation exposure. More recent, higher confidence studies carry more weight in the final number.

Common questions

How likely is AI to replace Machinists?
Published research puts Machinists at 24 out of 100 for AI displacement risk, in the lower risk band. The number is a weighted consensus of 9 research sources and describes the typical version of the role, not any individual.
Do researchers agree on the risk for Machinists?
Only partly. Individual estimates for Machinists run from 5 to 50 out of 100 across the 9 sources behind this score, so the single number smooths over real disagreement. More recent and higher confidence studies carry more weight in it.
Which manufacturing roles face similar AI exposure?
The closest published manufacturing roles to Machinists by score are Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders (24/100), Bakers (24/100), and Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (24/100). Each has its own page with the research behind its number.

Also covers

Aircraft Machinist · Auto Machinist (Automotive Machinist) · CNC Lathe Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Lathe Machinist) · CNC Lathe Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Lathe Machinist) · CNC Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Machinist) · CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist) · CNC Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist) · CNC Mill Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Mill Machinist) and related titles

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Informational guidance based on published research, not professional career or financial advice. Scores update as new research is ingested.