AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 51-4122.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.

Estimated AI task exposure
22%

Low-Moderate exposure

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

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

Digital/info work

44/100

Physical moat

82/100

Human moat

14/100

Rating coverage

100%

29 task statements / 29 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
Importance 80/100Relevance 94/100Frequency 74/100Weight 0.84
Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
Importance 79/100Relevance 92/100Frequency 74/100Weight 0.82
Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.
Importance 74/100Relevance 91/100Frequency 73/100Weight 0.80
Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
Importance 76/100Relevance 86/100Frequency 77/100Weight 0.80
Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.
Importance 71/100Relevance 94/100Frequency 64/100Weight 0.78
Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
Importance 76/100Relevance 80/100Frequency 72/100Weight 0.76
Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes.
Importance 74/100Relevance 82/100Frequency 70/100Weight 0.76
Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use.
Importance 72/100Relevance 88/100Frequency 63/100Weight 0.76
Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
Importance 73/100Relevance 78/100Frequency 76/100Weight 0.75
Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.
Importance 73/100Relevance 78/100Frequency 76/100Weight 0.75

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

$47,920

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

31,600

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

-8.9%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

2

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%

17 points lower exposure • 90% profile similarity

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

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

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

5%

17 points lower exposure • 91% profile similarity

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

less digital task exposure, lower AI leverage
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment

5%

17 points lower exposure • 92% profile similarity

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

less digital task exposure, lower AI leverage
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

5%

17 points lower exposure • 89% profile similarity

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

stronger human/judgment moat, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders

6%

16 points lower exposure • 92% profile similarity

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

less digital task exposure, lower AI leverage
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Home Appliance Repairers

5%

17 points lower exposure • 92% profile similarity

Median wage: $50,990 Growth 2025–2035: +1.9% Annual openings: 3

less digital task exposure, lower AI leverage

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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    Knowledge is your strongest upgrade.