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Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic vs Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

Side-by-side · O*NET · BLS · AI-exposure research · Anthropic Economic Index

A factual, source-backed comparison of Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic and Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators on the dimensions both occupations carry. Every figure is a position within an independent published dataset — not a verdict on which job is better, safer, or more “future-proof.”

Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
Median pay · BLS OEWS
$46,060
$49,970
Employment · BLS OEWS
129,850
176,950
AI exposure (percentile) · task overlap, not automation
44th pct
69th pct

At a glance

Dimension Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
Median pay $46,060 $49,970
Employment 129,850 176,950
Employment outlook (2024–34) · BLS projection Declining (-0.5%) Declining (-10.7%)
Annual openings · BLS projection 12,800 13,500
Typical education · O*NET Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
AI exposure · published exposure studies Moderate · 44th pct High · 69th pct
Global GenAI gradient · ILO ISCO-08 · via crosswalk 28th pct · 18% of tasks —
Observed AI use · Anthropic Economic Index Automation-leaning (58.5%) —
Mostly remote-capable · Dingel–Neiman No —

Pay and employment are BLS OEWS estimates; outlook and openings are BLS 2024–2034 projections; AI exposure and observed-use figures come from separate research and reflect exposure and usage, not predictions that either job will disappear. Compare like with like.

Skills

Shared: Production and Processing, Operations Monitoring, Mechanical, Arm-Hand Steadiness, Control Precision, Near Vision, Manual Dexterity, Problem Sensitivity, Mathematics, Quality Control Analysis, Visualization, English Language, Information Ordering, Monitoring, Operation and Control, Equipment Maintenance, Judgment and Decision Making, Oral Comprehension, Selective Attention, Finger Dexterity, Multilimb Coordination, Reaction Time, Design, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Troubleshooting, Repairing, Deductive Reasoning, Category Flexibility, Flexibility of Closure, Perceptual Speed, Rate Control.

Specific to Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

  • Written Comprehension
  • Far Vision
  • Speech Recognition
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Inductive Reasoning

Specific to Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

  • Hearing Sensitivity
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Auditory Attention
  • Trunk Strength
  • Education and Training
  • Administration and Management

Knowledge, skills & abilities O*NET rates as important for each occupation. “Shared” are common to both; the columns list what is distinctive to each (top by the order O*NET surfaces).

Tools & technology

Shared: Computer aided design CAD software , Spreadsheet software , Office suite software , Electronic mail software , Word processing software , Enterprise resource planning ERP software .

Specific to Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Specific to Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

Full profiles

This page is a summary. See the complete source-backed profile for Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic or Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators — tasks, the full skill graph, tools, work context, preparation, wages by percentile, industries, AI exposure and the AI work map.

More comparisons

Related occupations you can place side by side on the same sourced scale.

Sources for this page

Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.

Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.

Cite this page
Plain

Singulariki. "Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic vs Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators." Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Built from O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://singulariki.com/compare/multiple-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic-vs-computer-numerically-controlled-tool-operators

APA

Singulariki. (2026). Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic vs Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators. Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://singulariki.com/compare/multiple-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic-vs-computer-numerically-controlled-tool-operators

BibTeX 
@misc{singulariki-multiple-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic-vs-computer-numerically-controlled-tool-operators,
  title  = {Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic vs Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators},
  author = {{Singulariki}},
  year   = {2026},
  note   = {O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026},
  url    = {https://singulariki.com/compare/multiple-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic-vs-computer-numerically-controlled-tool-operators}
}

Citations name the underlying public dataset releases — they reflect what this page is built from, not just the URL.