AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 51-4033.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.

Estimated AI task exposure
10%

Low exposure

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

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

Digital/info work

16/100

Physical moat

50/100

Human moat

12/100

Rating coverage

100%

18 task statements / 18 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers.
Importance 83/100Relevance 94/100Frequency 82/100Weight 0.87
Set and adjust machine controls according to product specifications, using knowledge of machine operation.
Importance 82/100Relevance 92/100Frequency 80/100Weight 0.85
Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic workpieces.
Importance 78/100Relevance 96/100Frequency 78/100Weight 0.85
Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.
Importance 86/100Relevance 84/100Frequency 82/100Weight 0.84
Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems.
Importance 82/100Relevance 89/100Frequency 79/100Weight 0.84
Activate machine start-up switches to grind, lap, hone, debar, shear, or cut workpieces, according to specifications.
Importance 81/100Relevance 89/100Frequency 78/100Weight 0.83
Select machine tooling to be used, using knowledge of machine and production requirements.
Importance 80/100Relevance 90/100Frequency 72/100Weight 0.82
Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences.
Importance 81/100Relevance 81/100Frequency 74/100Weight 0.79
Move machine controls to index workpieces, and to adjust machines for pre-selected operational settings.
Importance 80/100Relevance 79/100Frequency 72/100Weight 0.78
Lift and position workpieces, manually or with hoists, and secure them in hoppers or on machine tables, faceplates, or chucks, using clamps.
Importance 80/100Relevance 71/100Frequency 78/100Weight 0.76

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

$46,550

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

67,000

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

-10.8%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

4

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

Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles

6%

4 points lower exposure • 97% profile similarity

Median wage: $56,460 Growth 2025–2035: +9.0% Annual openings: 2

similar work profile with lower modeled exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Tile and Stone Setters

6%

4 points lower exposure • 97% profile similarity

Median wage: $55,690 Growth 2025–2035: +9.8% Annual openings: 3

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Plasterers and Stucco Masons

5%

5 points lower exposure • 95% profile similarity

Median wage: $57,660 Growth 2025–2035: +2.8% Annual openings: 2

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

5%

5 points lower exposure • 95% profile similarity

Median wage: $47,720 Growth 2025–2035: +0.7% Annual openings: 5

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners

7%

3 points lower exposure • 98% profile similarity

Median wage: $46,420 Growth 2025–2035: +1.9% Annual openings: 1

similar work profile with lower modeled exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Forest and Conservation Workers

5%

5 points lower exposure • 94% profile similarity

Median wage: $43,680 Growth 2025–2035: -1.5% Annual openings: 2

more physical-world work

Personalized career defense protocol

AI-Proofing Plan

AUTOMATE

    AUGMENT

    • administrative support tasks
    • planning and documentation

    PROTECT

      LEARN

      • 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
      I am your guide.
      Knowledge is your strongest upgrade.