Often handed to AI
Task areas most often handled directively in observed AI conversations — candidates to delegate with light review.
- Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers. · 0.6%
Machinists
Occupation · SOC 51-4041.00
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.
Also called: CNC Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Machinist) · Machinist · Maintenance Machinist · Tool Room Machinist · CNC Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist) · Gear Machinist · Machine Repair Person · Manual Lathe Machinist · Production Machinist · Aircraft Machinist · Auto Machinist (Automotive Machinist) · CNC Lathe Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Lathe Machinist)
Job family: Production Occupations
Take this to your AI
A source-stamped Markdown brief of this occupation — paste it into an agent, or fetch
/roles/role-51-4041-00/context.md directly.
AI work map
A fast read on where AI already shows up in this occupation, where it stays a copilot, where humans remain in the loop, and what the labor market is doing. Built from observed Claude.ai conversations mapped to O*NET tasks and from published research — measures of usage and exposure, not advice or predictions that the job is going away.
Keep a human in the loop
Task areas where a human was still judged necessary in a large share of observed conversations — not a safety ruling, an observed-need signal.
- Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers. · 90.5% need a human
Skills it runs on
The capabilities O*NET rates most important for this occupation — the human ground the work is built on.
See all skills →Market signal
Independent published positions, read together — not a forecast.
- About average employment outlook (0.0% by 2034)
- 29,500 openings/yr
- Moderate AI exposure
- Observed AI use leans automation
- Median pay $56,150/yr
- Work is mostly on-site (not teleworkable)
- 2013 flagged this for computerization (55th); today's AI task-overlap is comparatively low (34th)
34th-percentile task overlap — yet about 29,500 openings a year (+0% projected, BLS), and observed AI use leans 2540% copilot, not hand-off (AEI) . What exposure means →
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.
| Measure | Rank vs all occupations | Percentile | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) Low | 23rd | -0.9 | |
| LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) Low | 32nd | 0.3 | |
| AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) Moderate | 53rd | 0.2 |
OpenAI's exposure study scores tasks three ways: with a language model alone (α 0.2), with simple added tooling (β 0.2), and including AI-powered software (γ 0.3). 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.
Historical automation estimate (2013)
A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
Frey–Osborne probability 0.7 · 55th percentile among occupations · Moderate
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.
| Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information. | 0.4% | |
| Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools. | 0.2% |
Job outlook
Independent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projection for 2024–2034 — a labor-market forecast, not an AI-impact forecast.
| Outlook | About average · 0.0% by 2034 |
| Projected annual openings | 29,500 |
| Employment 2024 → 2034 | 299,500 → 299,600 |
“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 occupation below. Exposure here means how much of the work's tasks today's AI can attempt — task overlap, not automation, adoption, or jobs lost.
Machinists sits at the 28th percentile of 427
occupations on the global GenAI task-exposure gradient
— exposure rose from 2023 to 2025. Each dot is one occupation; the
ringed one is this work. Exposure is task overlap, not automation or jobs lost.
18% mean task exposure (2025)
28th percentile of 427 placed occupations
+2 pts shift 2023 → 2025
| International occupation (ISCO-08) | Task exposure (2025) | Most tasks fall in |
|---|---|---|
| Metal Working Machine Tool Setters and Operators · 7223 | 18% | Not exposed |
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.
| Augmentation vs. automation | 25.4% working with AI · 38.1% handed to AI |
| Most common way people use AI here | Directive · AI does it; you give the instruction |
| Typical AI autonomy | 3.0 / 5 · higher = AI acts more independently |
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.
| Task | How | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers. | Directive | 0.6% |
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.
| Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers. | 90.5% |
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 calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers.From: Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers. · 0.6% of measured AI use · directive
Tasks
All 29 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, ordered by importance. Each links to its own page with AI-exposure and observed-use detail.
- Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers. Core · importance 4.8
- Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders. Core · importance 4.8
- Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers. Core · importance 4.6
- Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations. Core · importance 4.6
- Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools. Core · importance 4.5
- Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products. Core · importance 4.5
- Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process. Core · importance 4.5
- Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition. Core · importance 4.5
- Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools. Core · importance 4.4
- Support metalworking projects from planning and fabrication through assembly, inspection, and testing, using knowledge of machine functions, metal properties, and mathematics. Supplemental · importance 4.4
- Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines. Core · importance 4.3
- Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications. Core · importance 4.3
- Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency. Core · importance 4.3
- Evaluate machining procedures and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability. Core · importance 4.3
- Install repaired parts into equipment or install new equipment. Supplemental · importance 4.1
- Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs. Core · importance 4.1
- Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs. Core · importance 4.1
- Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools or power tools to examine parts for defects and replace defective parts where needed. Supplemental · importance 4.0
- Dispose of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations. Core · importance 4.0
- Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information. Core · importance 4.0
- Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts. Core · importance 4.0
- Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal. Core · importance 4.0
- Test experimental models under simulated operating conditions, for purposes such as development, standardization, or feasibility of design. Supplemental · importance 4.0
- Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment. Supplemental · importance 3.9
- Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled. Core · importance 3.9
- Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance. Supplemental · importance 3.9
- Establish work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using a variety of metalworking machines. Supplemental · importance 3.9
- Install experimental parts or assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, or batteries into machines or mechanisms. Supplemental · importance 3.6
- Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products. Supplemental · importance 3.6
Work activities
- Dispose of trash or waste materials.
- Sort recyclable materials.
- Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment.
- Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
- Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
- Maintain production or processing equipment.
- Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
- Diagnose equipment malfunctions.
- Advise others on ways to improve processes or products.
- Operate grinding equipment.
- Operate cutting equipment.
- Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
- Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
- Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
- Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
- Monitor lubrication of equipment or workpieces.
- Conduct test runs of production equipment.
- Install mechanical components in production equipment.
- Program equipment to perform production tasks.
- Exchange information with colleagues.
- Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
- Replace worn equipment components.
- Plan production or operational procedures or sequences.
- Determine metal or plastic production methods.
- Prepare fabrics or materials for processing or production.
- Assemble machine tools, parts, or fixtures.
- Design tools, fixtures, or other devices for production equipment.
- Create diagrams or blueprints for workpieces or products.
- Assemble electromechanical or hydraulic systems.
- Operate welding equipment.
- Test materials, solutions, or samples.
Knowledge, skills & abilities
O*NET importance rating, from 1 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).
Abilities
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 3.6 | |
| Manual Dexterity | 3.6 | |
| Finger Dexterity | 3.6 | |
| Control Precision | 3.5 | |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.3 | |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.3 | |
| Selective Attention | 3.3 | |
| Near Vision | 3.3 | |
| Oral Comprehension | 3.1 | |
| Information Ordering | 3.1 | |
| Visualization | 3.1 | |
| Multilimb Coordination | 3.1 | |
| Rate Control | 3.1 | |
| Written Comprehension | 3.0 | |
| Oral Expression | 3.0 | |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.0 | |
| Category Flexibility | 3.0 | |
| Flexibility of Closure | 3.0 | |
| Perceptual Speed | 3.0 | |
| Reaction Time | 3.0 | |
| Speech Recognition | 3.0 | |
| Speech Clarity | 3.0 |
Knowledge
| Mathematics | 3.5 | |
| Mechanical | 3.3 | |
| Production and Processing | 3.3 | |
| Design | 3.0 |
Transferable skills
| Operation and Control | 3.3 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 | |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 | |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 | |
| Equipment Maintenance | 2.9 |
Essential skills
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 | |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Active Listening | 3.0 | |
| Speaking | 3.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.9 | |
| Mathematics | 2.9 |
Skills in demand
Skills employers ask for in job postings for this occupation (Lightcast), with whether each is a common or specialized skill.
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: Precision Production . 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.
| High School Diploma | 35.9% | |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 33.1% | |
| Some College Courses | 17.3% | |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 13.6% |
Interests & work styles
The interests and personal qualities O*NET associates with people who do this work.
Career interests (Holland / RIASEC)
| Realistic | 7.0 | |
| Conventional | 4.4 | |
| Investigative | 3.7 | |
| Artistic | 1.9 |
Interest areas
Work styles
| Dependability | 3.0 | |
| Attention to Detail | 2.9 | |
| Cautiousness | 2.2 | |
| Achievement Orientation | 1.7 |
Wages & employment
U.S. · annual wages (BLS OEWS)
| 10th percentile | $38,100 |
| 25th percentile | $46,250 |
| Median (50th) | $56,150 |
| 75th percentile | $64,910 |
| 90th percentile | $78,760 |
| People employed | 298,790 |
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.
| Industry | Workers | National median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing · Sector | 249,790 | $55,590 |
| Machine Shops · National industry | 63,310 | $51,700 |
| Wholesale Trade · Sector | 11,880 | $54,040 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services · Sector | 10,800 | $38,990 |
| Temporary Help Services · National industry | 9,890 | $38,570 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) · Sector | 7,520 | $57,520 |
| Transportation and Warehousing · Sector | 5,270 | $82,640 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services · Sector | 3,990 | $64,270 |
| Engineering Services · National industry | 2,060 | $63,940 |
| Construction · Sector | 1,910 | $58,400 |
| Retail Trade · Sector | 690 | $45,660 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises · Sector | 500 | $61,080 |
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).
| Industry | Concentration | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Machine Shops · National industry | 125.77× | 63,310 |
| Manufacturing · Sector | 10.1× | 249,790 |
| Temporary Help Services · National industry | 1.93× | 9,890 |
| Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation · National industry | 1.09× | 150 |
| Testing Laboratories and Services · National industry | 1.09× | 360 |
| Wholesale Trade · Sector | 1.02× | 11,880 |
| Engineering Services · National industry | 0.92× | 2,060 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) · Sector | 0.88× | 7,520 |
Related occupations
Part of the Advanced Manufacturing career cluster.
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators · 51-9161.00 Compare →
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · 51-4035.00 Compare →
- Tool and Die Makers · 51-4111.00 Compare →
- Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · 51-4034.00 Compare →
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers · 51-9162.00 Compare →
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · 51-4081.00 Compare →
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers · 51-2011.00 Compare →
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners · 51-4194.00 Compare →
- Millwrights · 49-9044.00 Compare →
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · 51-4122.00 Compare →
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic · 51-4061.00 Compare →
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics · 49-9041.00 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 Machinists — not advice or a forecast. Each is a real cross-link you can follow into the evidence.
Skills that travel
Capabilities this work builds that are used across many other occupations.
Adjacent roles
Occupations O*NET rates as related — the nearby moves on the map.
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators Compare →
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Compare →
- Tool and Die Makers Compare →
- Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Compare →
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers Compare →
Paths in
How people typically prepare for this work.
- High school diploma or equivalent · typical entry level
- Job zone 3 — Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed · preparation tier
- Precision Production · field of study
Zoom out
On the global GenAI exposure gradient this work sits around the 28th percentile of 427 international occupations.
Write a report on thisheadline · factoids · citation
Machinists show 34th-percentile AI task overlap — and about 29,500 annual U.S. openings
- Machinists rank in the 34th percentile (Moderate band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated.Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE
- The occupation is projected to see about 29,500 U.S. job openings per year (2024–34), counting growth and replacement — a labor-demand projection made independently of AI.BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
- BLS projects employment to be about average (0%) from 2024 to 2034.BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
- Median annual pay is $56,150, across about 298,790 U.S. workers.BLS OEWS (May 2024)
- Of the AI use actually observed for this work, 25% looks like augmentation (drafting, iterating, checking) rather than hands-off automation — from a Claude.ai usage sample, not a census.2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2
Copy the whole kit
Machinists show 34th-percentile AI task overlap — and about 29,500 annual U.S. openings • Machinists rank in the 34th percentile (Moderate band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated. (Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE) • The occupation is projected to see about 29,500 U.S. job openings per year (2024–34), counting growth and replacement — a labor-demand projection made independently of AI. (BLS Employment Projections 2024–34) • BLS projects employment to be about average (0%) from 2024 to 2034. (BLS Employment Projections 2024–34) • Median annual pay is $56,150, across about 298,790 U.S. workers. (BLS OEWS (May 2024)) • Of the AI use actually observed for this work, 25% looks like augmentation (drafting, iterating, checking) rather than hands-off automation — from a Claude.ai usage sample, not a census. (2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2) Source: Singulariki — "Machinists". https://singulariki.com/roles/role-51-4041-00 Note: AI task overlap measures what today's AI can attempt, not automation, job loss, or a forecast.
AssetsShare imageMethodology & sourcesPress & newsroomThe newsroom
Every line is built only from figures this page already shows and cites. AI task overlap means what today's AI can attempt — not automation, job loss, or a forecast.
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.
Cite this page
Plain
Singulariki. "Machinists." 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/roles/role-51-4041-00
APA
Singulariki. (2026). Machinists. Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://singulariki.com/roles/role-51-4041-00
BibTeX
@misc{singulariki-role-51-4041-00,
title = {Machinists},
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-51-4041-00}
} Citations name the underlying public dataset releases — they reflect what this page is built from, not just the URL.