First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

AI & job outlook

What today's research says about this occupation's exposure to AI, how AI is actually being used in it, and where employment is headed. These are positions within published studies — measures of exposure and usage, not predictions that this job will disappear.

Exposure to current AI

Each study uses its own scale, so the raw scores are not comparable across rows — the percentile (this job's rank among all U.S. occupations with data) is the comparable figure, and sizes the bars.

OpenAI's exposure study scores tasks three ways: with a language model alone (α 0.0), with simple added tooling (β 0.4), and including AI-powered software (γ 0.8). Higher means more of the job's tasks could be done at least twice as fast — not that they will be automated away.

This job mostly cannot be done remotely (Dingel–Neiman) — its hands-on tasks sit outside what software-based AI reaches.

How AI is actually used in this job

Among measured AI assistant conversations mapped to this occupation (Anthropic Economic Index, 2026-01-15), these task types came up most. These are shares of observed AI conversations — not shares of the job, of worker time, or of what could be automated.

Job outlook

Independent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projection for 2024–2034 — a labor-market forecast, not an AI-impact forecast.

“Annual openings” counts new jobs plus replacements for workers who leave the occupation, so it can be large even when growth is modest.

Where this work sits on the global GenAI gradient

The ILO's 2025 global study scores generative-AI exposure on the international ISCO-08 occupation system, not US SOC. Bridged through the published (and approximate, many-to-many) IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 crosswalk, this US occupation corresponds to the international 11 occupations below. Exposure here means how much of the work's tasks today's AI can attempt — task overlap, not automation, adoption, or jobs lost.

Read the whole six-band gradient on the GenAI exposure gradient page. The crosswalk is approximate: a US occupation can map to several international ones, and the ILO scores describe the international occupation, not this exact US role.

Working with AI in this job

How people actually apply AI to this occupation's tasks, from Claude.ai (Free and Pro) conversations in the Anthropic Economic Index, 2026-01-15. This is one AI assistant's consumer sample — not all AI, not the whole workforce. Autonomy and the collaboration mix are model-rated estimates; figures below the sample floor are hidden.

What people delegate to AI

The role's most common tasks in AI conversations, each tagged with how people work with the AI on it. “Usage” is the share of observed conversations, not of the job.

Where a human is still needed

Tasks where the model most often judged that a person remained necessary — a useful read on the current boundary, not a guarantee.

What people most often hand AI here

Example prompts phrased from the tasks people most often delegate to AI in this occupation (Anthropic Economic Index). Each shows the underlying measured task and its share of observed AI use. They are suggested phrasings of real tasks — starting points, not endorsed instructions.

• Help me develop or implement electronic maintenance programs or computer information management systems.

  From: Develop or implement electronic maintenance programs or computer information management systems. · 0.7% of measured AI use · directive

• Help me examine objects, systems, or facilities and analyze information to determine needed installations, services, or repairs.

  From: Examine objects, systems, or facilities and analyze information to determine needed installations, services, or repairs. · 0.5% of measured AI use · directive

Tasks

All 22 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, ordered by importance. Each links to its own page with AI-exposure and observed-use detail.

• Inspect, test, and measure completed work, using devices such as hand tools or gauges to verify conformance to standards or repair requirements. Core · importance 3.9
• Inspect and monitor work areas, examine tools and equipment, and provide employee safety training to prevent, detect, and correct unsafe conditions or violations of procedures and safety rules. Core · importance 3.9
• Interpret specifications, blueprints, or job orders to construct templates and lay out reference points for workers. Core · importance 3.9
• Monitor employees' work levels and review work performance. Core · importance 3.9
• Perform skilled repair or maintenance operations, using equipment such as hand or power tools, hydraulic presses or shears, or welding equipment. Core · importance 3.8
• Compute estimates and actual costs of factors such as materials, labor, or outside contractors. Core · importance 3.8
• Participate in budget preparation and administration, coordinating purchasing and documentation and monitoring departmental expenditures. Supplemental · importance 3.8
• Monitor tool and part inventories and the condition and maintenance of shops to ensure adequate working conditions. Core · importance 3.7
• Requisition materials and supplies, such as tools, equipment, or replacement parts. Core · importance 3.7
• Confer with personnel, such as management, engineering, quality control, customer, or union workers' representatives, to coordinate work activities, resolve employee grievances, or identify and review resource needs. Core · importance 3.7
• Determine schedules, sequences, and assignments for work activities, based on work priority, quantity of equipment, and skill of personnel. Core · importance 3.7
• Counsel employees about work-related issues and assist employees to correct job-skill deficiencies. Core · importance 3.6
• Examine objects, systems, or facilities and analyze information to determine needed installations, services, or repairs. Core · importance 3.6
• Recommend or initiate personnel actions, such as hires, promotions, transfers, discharges, or disciplinary measures. Core · importance 3.6
• Investigate accidents or injuries and prepare reports of findings. Core · importance 3.6
• Review, evaluate, accept, and coordinate completion of work bid from contractors. Supplemental · importance 3.6
• Compile operational or personnel records, such as time and production records, inventory data, repair or maintenance statistics, or test results. Supplemental · importance 3.6
• Conduct or arrange for worker training in safety, repair, or maintenance techniques, operational procedures, or equipment use. Core · importance 3.5
• Develop, implement, or evaluate maintenance policies and procedures. Core · importance 3.5
• Meet with vendors or suppliers to discuss products used in repair work. Core · importance 3.4
• Develop or implement electronic maintenance programs or computer information management systems. Supplemental · importance 3.4
• Design equipment configurations to meet personnel needs. Supplemental · importance 3.1

Work activities

• Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
• Monitor work areas or procedures to ensure compliance with safety procedures.
• Train others in operational procedures.
• Direct organizational operations, projects, or services.
• Schedule repair, installation or maintenance activities.
• Supervise employees.
• Inspect systems to determine if they are operating properly.
• Confer with coworkers to coordinate work activities.
• Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
• Estimate costs for labor or materials.
• Interpret blueprints, specifications, or diagrams to inform installation, development or operation activities.
• Investigate industrial or transportation accidents.
• Prepare accident or incident reports.
• Operate welding equipment.
• Maintain work equipment or machinery.
• Document operational activities.
• Maintain repair or maintenance records.
• Plan work procedures.
• Inspect completed work to ensure proper functioning.
• Measure distances or dimensions.
• Explain use of products or services.
• Install programs onto computer or computer-controlled equipment.
• Develop equipment or component configurations.

Knowledge, skills & abilities

O*NET importance rating, from 1 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).

Essential skills

Abilities

Knowledge

Transferable skills

Skills in demand

Skills employers ask for in job postings for this occupation (Lightcast), with whether each is a common or specialized skill.

• Inductive Reasoning Common Skill
• Deductive Reasoning Common Skill
• Time Management Common Skill
• Speech Recognition Specialized Skill
• Information Ordering Specialized Skill
• Critical Thinking Common Skill
• Reading Comprehension Common Skill
• Active Listening Common Skill
• Microsoft Outlook Common Skill
• Microsoft Excel Common Skill
• Systems Analysis Specialized Skill
• Active Learning Common Skill
• English Language Common Skill
• Visualization Specialized Skill
• Social Perceptiveness Common Skill
• Learning Strategies Specialized Skill
• Complex Problem Solving Common Skill
• Mathematics Common Skill
• Writing Common Skill
• Negotiation Common Skill
• Microsoft Word Common Skill
• Microsoft Windows Common Skill
• Microsoft SharePoint Specialized Skill
• Microsoft Project Specialized Skill
• Microsoft PowerPoint Common Skill
• Microsoft Access Specialized Skill
• Instructing Specialized Skill
• Finger Dexterity Common Skill
• Equipment Maintenance Specialized Skill
• Depth Perception Common Skill
• Equipment Selection Specialized Skill
• Chemistry Specialized Skill
• Psychology Specialized Skill
• Microsoft Internet Explorer Common Skill
• Microsoft Dynamics Specialized Skill
• IBM Notes Specialized Skill
• Email Software Specialized Skill
• Database Software Specialized Skill
• Physics Specialized Skill
• Telecommunications Specialized Skill

Showing the top 40 of 48.

Tools & technology

Work context

How characteristic each condition is of the job, on O*NET's 1–5 context scale (higher = more present in day-to-day work). Each condition links to how it varies across all occupations.

How to get in

Job zone

Zone 3 — Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Typical entry-level education

High school diploma or equivalent · BLS, the typical path — not a requirement

Related experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Preparation level

SVP (6.0 to < 7.0) — total schooling plus on-the-job experience.

What to study: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services , Construction Trades , Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians . Fields of study crosswalked to this occupation (NCES CIP–SOC), not a requirement.

Education of current workers

Share of people in this occupation at each level of education.

Interests & work styles

The interests and personal qualities O*NET associates with people who do this work.

Career interests (Holland / RIASEC)

Interest areas

Work styles

Wages & employment

U.S. · annual wages (BLS OEWS)

Industries that employ this occupation

Where these workers are employed, by number of jobs (national, BLS OEWS). Pay shown is the occupation's national median, not industry-specific.

Where this work is most concentrated

Industries where this occupation is far more common than in the economy as a whole. The location quotient is how many times more concentrated it is here (a value of 5 means five times its economy-wide share).

Related occupations

Part of the Advanced Manufacturing , Construction , Energy & Natural Resources and Supply Chain & Transportation career clusters.

• First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers · 51-1011.00 Compare →
• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers · 47-1011.00 Compare →
• First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand · 53-1042.00 Compare →
• First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · 53-1044.00 Compare →
• First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators · 53-1043.00 Compare →
• First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers · 43-1011.00 Compare →
• First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers · 37-1011.00 Compare →
• First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services · 39-1014.00 Compare →
• First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers · 45-1011.00 Compare →
• First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers · 41-1012.00 Compare →
• First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers · 37-1012.00 Compare →
• General and Operations Managers · 11-1021.00 Compare →

Side-by-side comparisons place two occupations’ pay, preparation, skills, and AI exposure on the same page — same data, same scale, no forecast.

What you can do with this

Options the data surfaces for First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — not advice or a forecast. Each is a real cross-link you can follow into the evidence.

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.

• O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
• BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27) Anthropic
• Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai Microsoft Research
• “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic
• AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans academic
• ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025 International Labour Organization
• IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022 Institute for Structural Research (IBS)
• Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation academic
• Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome academic

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

@misc{singulariki-role-49-1011-00,
  title  = {First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers},
  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/roles/role-49-1011-00}
}