AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 51-9022.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand?

Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.

Estimated AI task exposure
28%

Low-Moderate exposure

V11 weights occupation tasks using O*NET Importance, Relevance and Frequency ratings instead of treating every task equally.

17 tasks have usable Task Rating records; weighted-task coverage is 100%.

Digital/info work

45/100

Physical moat

68/100

Human moat

19/100

Rating coverage

100%

17 task statements / 17 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Grind, sand, clean, or polish objects or parts to correct defects or to prepare surfaces for further finishing, using hand tools and power tools.
Importance 89/100Relevance 94/100Frequency 86/100Weight 0.90
Verify quality of finished workpieces by inspecting them, comparing them to templates, measuring their dimensions, or testing them in working machinery.
Importance 90/100Relevance 87/100Frequency 86/100Weight 0.88
Load and adjust workpieces onto equipment or work tables, using hand tools.
Importance 79/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 76/100Weight 0.86
Trim, scrape, or deburr objects or parts, using chisels, scrapers, and other hand tools and equipment.
Importance 86/100Relevance 85/100Frequency 86/100Weight 0.85
Measure and mark equipment, objects, or parts to ensure grinding and polishing standards are met.
Importance 86/100Relevance 81/100Frequency 81/100Weight 0.83
Select files or other abrasives, according to materials, sizes and shapes of workpieces, amount of stock to be removed, finishes specified, and steps in finishing processes.
Importance 76/100Relevance 92/100Frequency 76/100Weight 0.82
Move controls to adjust, start, or stop equipment during grinding and polishing processes.
Importance 80/100Relevance 86/100Frequency 77/100Weight 0.82
Mark defects, such as knotholes, cracks, and splits, for repair.
Importance 85/100Relevance 74/100Frequency 67/100Weight 0.76
Study blueprints or layouts to determine how to lay out workpieces or saw out templates.
Importance 84/100Relevance 71/100Frequency 72/100Weight 0.76
Transfer equipment, objects, or parts to specified work areas, using moving devices.
Importance 61/100Relevance 97/100Frequency 60/100Weight 0.74

Task weighting

Each rated task receives a composite weight: 38% relevance, 37% importance and 25% frequency. Core tasks receive a small additional multiplier. Low-precision rows flagged by O*NET for suppression are excluded.

Occupation scoring

When rating coverage is strong, rated tasks contribute 60% of the digital, physical and human task signals and Work Activities contribute 40%. Lower-coverage occupations automatically rely more on Work Activities.

U.S. labor market

BLS Wage & Employment Outlook

Median annual wage

$42,660

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

10,510

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

-19.2%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

1

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

BLS labor-market figures are separate from the site's AI-exposure model. Missing values mean a compatible detailed BLS occupation estimate was not published or could not be mapped.

Career pivot radar

Safer Career Alternatives

These options are selected from the same 923-occupation model. They favor a similar task/work profile with meaningfully lower estimated AI exposure. They are suggestions for exploration, not guarantees of job fit.

SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Helpers--Extraction Workers

5%

23 points lower exposure • 87% profile similarity

Median wage: $47,730 Growth 2025–2035: +1.7% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

5%

23 points lower exposure • 86% profile similarity

Median wage: $56,210 Growth 2025–2035: +4.4% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

9%

19 points lower exposure • 89% profile similarity

Median wage: $61,010 Growth 2025–2035: +10.9% Annual openings: 41

more physical-world work, lower AI leverage
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

5%

23 points lower exposure • 86% profile similarity

Median wage: $65,510 Growth 2025–2035: +6.7% Annual openings: 15

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Millwrights

5%

23 points lower exposure • 87% profile similarity

Median wage: $65,700 Growth 2025–2035: +0.9% Annual openings: 3

less digital task exposure, lower AI leverage
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic

6%

22 points lower exposure • 88% profile similarity

Median wage: $63,870 Growth 2025–2035: -3.4% Annual openings: 0

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure

Personalized career defense protocol

AI-Proofing Plan

AUTOMATE

    AUGMENT

    • administrative support tasks
    • planning and documentation

    PROTECT

    • physical-world execution
    • on-site troubleshooting
    • dexterity and equipment interaction

    LEARN

    • AI-assisted diagnostics
    • digital documentation
    • basic AI literacy

    AI-PROOFING RESOURCES

    What this score does not mean

    The percentage is a comparative task-exposure index. It is not the probability that this occupation disappears, that a worker is laid off, or that AI can perform the entire job.

    New in V11

    Find a Safer Career Path

    High exposure does not mean starting over. V11 compares your occupation with the other 922 O*NET occupations and surfaces lower-exposure options with similar work profiles.

    EXPLORE CAREER ALTERNATIVES
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