Machinists
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments. 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.
AI Impact Summary
Machinists faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 35/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 64% of all analyzed occupations. Of 29 analyzed tasks, 2 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Machinists skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path
by Pluralsight
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
29 tasks analyzed
Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products.
Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.
Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs.
Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.
Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.
Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment.
Support metalworking projects from planning and fabrication through assembly, inspection, and testing, using knowledge of machine functions, metal properties and mathematics.
Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.
Dispose of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations.
Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal.
Evaluate machining procedures and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability.
Establish work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using a variety of metalworking machines.
Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools or power tools to examine parts for defects and replace defective parts where needed.
Install repaired parts into equipment or install new equipment.
Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
Test experimental models under simulated operating conditions for purposes such as development, standardization, or feasibility of design.
Install experimental parts or assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, or batteries into machines or mechanisms.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers. | 51.58Observed | 69.8% | 5% | |
| Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 14% | |
| Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 10% | |
| Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 5% | |
| Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 5% | |
| Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 5% | |
| Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 3% | |
| Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 5% | |
| Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 2% | |
| Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 2% | |
| Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 4% | |
| Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 3% | |
| Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 3% | |
| Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information. | 25Estimated | 25.0% | 3% | |
| Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 3% | |
| Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 3% | |
| Support metalworking projects from planning and fabrication through assembly, inspection, and testing, using knowledge of machine functions, metal properties and mathematics. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications. | 25Estimated | 25.0% | 2% | |
| Dispose of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 2% | |
| Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 2% | |
| Evaluate machining procedures and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 2% | |
| Establish work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using a variety of metalworking machines. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 2% | |
| Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools or power tools to examine parts for defects and replace defective parts where needed. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 2% | |
| Install repaired parts into equipment or install new equipment. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 2% | |
| Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 2% | |
| Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 2% | |
| Test experimental models under simulated operating conditions for purposes such as development, standardization, or feasibility of design. | 71.88Observed | 55.8% | 2% | |
| Install experimental parts or assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, or batteries into machines or mechanisms. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 26.3%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$56,150
per year
Mean Wage
$57,390
per year
Employment
299K
workers
Wage Range
$38,100 - $78,760
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Machinists professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 1 scoring run