AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 51-4051.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders?

Operate or tend furnaces, such as gas, oil, coal, electric-arc or electric induction, open-hearth, or oxygen furnaces, to melt and refine metal before casting or to produce specified types of steel.

Estimated AI task exposure
36%

Low-Moderate exposure

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

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

Digital/info work

37/100

Physical moat

37/100

Human moat

13/100

Rating coverage

100%

15 task statements / 15 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Record production data, and maintain production logs.
Importance 88/100Relevance 90/100Frequency 88/100Weight 0.89
Observe air and temperature gauges or metal color and fluidity, and turn fuel valves or adjust controls to maintain required temperatures.
Importance 87/100Relevance 89/100Frequency 85/100Weight 0.88
Regulate supplies of fuel and air, or control flow of electric current and water coolant to heat furnaces and adjust temperatures.
Importance 90/100Relevance 86/100Frequency 84/100Weight 0.87
Inspect furnaces and equipment to locate defects and wear.
Importance 85/100Relevance 94/100Frequency 70/100Weight 0.85
Draw smelted metal samples from furnaces or kettles for analysis, and calculate types and amounts of materials needed to ensure that materials meet specifications.
Importance 90/100Relevance 82/100Frequency 79/100Weight 0.84
Operate controls to move or discharge metal workpieces from furnaces.
Importance 87/100Relevance 84/100Frequency 79/100Weight 0.84
Drain, transfer, or remove molten metal from furnaces, and place it into molds, using hoists, pumps, or ladles.
Importance 84/100Relevance 85/100Frequency 80/100Weight 0.84
Weigh materials to be charged into furnaces, using scales.
Importance 88/100Relevance 73/100Frequency 80/100Weight 0.81
Kindle fires, and shovel fuel and other materials into furnaces or onto conveyors by hand, with hoists, or by directing crane operators.
Importance 82/100Relevance 76/100Frequency 77/100Weight 0.78
Prepare material to load into furnaces, including cleaning, crushing, or applying chemicals, by using crushing machines, shovels, rakes, or sprayers.
Importance 89/100Relevance 60/100Frequency 74/100Weight 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

$54,430

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

16,780

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

-2.9%

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%

31 points lower exposure • 81% profile similarity

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

more physical-world work, lower AI leverage
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

5%

31 points lower exposure • 82% profile similarity

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

more physical-world work, lower AI leverage
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment

5%

31 points lower exposure • 82% profile similarity

Median wage: $84,890 Growth 2025–2035: +5.4% Annual openings: 0

more physical-world work, lower AI leverage
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

5%

31 points lower exposure • 83% profile similarity

Median wage: $57,550 Growth 2025–2035: +4.9% Annual openings: 3

more physical-world work, lower AI leverage
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

5%

31 points lower exposure • 80% profile similarity

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

stronger human/judgment moat, more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders

6%

30 points lower exposure • 82% profile similarity

Median wage: $58,870 Growth 2025–2035: +2.8% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work, lower AI leverage

Personalized career defense protocol

AI-Proofing Plan

AUTOMATE

    AUGMENT

      PROTECT

      • domain expertise
      • exception handling
      • accountability for outcomes

      LEARN

      • cross-functional business knowledge
      • risk and governance

      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.