Somewhat Resilient
Last Update: 10/7/2026
AI Resilience Score for Cutting & Slicing Machine Ops:
39.0%
Median Score
Meaningful human contribution
Measures the parts of the occupation that still require a human touch. This score averages data from up to four AI exposure datasets, focusing on the role’s resilience against automation.
Med
Long-term employer demand
Predicts the health of the job market for this role through 2034. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it balances projected annual job openings (60%) with overall employment growth (40%).
Low
Sustained economic opportunity
Measures future earning potential and career flexibility. This score is a blend of total projected labor income (67%) and the role’s inherent ability to adapt to economic and technological shifts (33%).
Low
This reflects the reliability of your score based on the number of data sources available for this career and how closely those sources agree on the outlook. A higher confidence means more consistent evidence from labor experts and AI models.
Limited data sources are available, or existing sources show notable disagreement on the outlook for this occupation.
AI Resilience Report forCutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
$46,570 median salary•5,400 annual openings•SOC Code: 51-9032.00
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders are somewhat less resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 6 sources.
This career sits in the "Somewhat Resilient" category because AI is genuinely changing how cutting and slicing machines operate, with systems now handling tasks like nesting, inspection, and record-keeping that humans used to manage manually. At the same time, robots and AI still struggle with the hands-on, dexterous work that operators do every day, like installing blades, cleaning equipment, and managing changeovers, so human workers are not disappearing anytime soon.
Learn more about how you can thrive in this position
This role is somewhat resilient
This career sits in the "Somewhat Resilient" category because AI is genuinely changing how cutting and slicing machines operate, with systems now handling tasks like nesting, inspection, and record-keeping that humans used to manage manually. At the same time, robots and AI still struggle with the hands-on, dexterous work that operators do every day, like installing blades, cleaning equipment, and managing changeovers, so human workers are not disappearing anytime soon.
Read full analysisAnalysis of current AI resilience
Cutting & Slicing Machine Ops
Updated quarterly
How can Cutting & Slicing Machine Ops prepare for AI?
Latest AI news for Cutting & Slicing Machine Ops
The articles highlight that while AI poses a notable replacement risk for Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, it also offers opportunities for adaptation. The first article indicates a high risk score of 88, emphasizing the need for workers to upskill in areas where human oversight remains crucial. Meanwhile, the second article points out that while automation is transforming the role, it is unlikely to fully replace it, suggesting that workers can focus on enhancing their technical and problem-solving skills to remain relevant in this evolving landscape.
Will AI Replace Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters ...
www.replacedbai.com • 9/20/2026
No, Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders roles face significant AI replacement risk. With a risk score of 88/100, this occupation is ... Read more
Will AI Replace Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators ...
www.tagieff.ca • 9/20/2026
No, AI will not fully replace textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders, but the role is undergoing significant transformation. While automation ... Read more
AI Impact Tracker - Labor Pulse
laborpulse.org • 9/20/2026
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, 51-4122.00, 0.07, low. Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, 51 ... Read more
More Career Info
Career: Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
They operate machines to cut and slice materials like metal or food, ensuring products are made to the right size and shape.
Parent Careers
Similar Careers
Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$46,570
Jobs (2025)
45,900
Growth (2025-35)
-0.9%
Annual Openings
5,400
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience
None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025-2035
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Direct workers on cutting teams.
2
Position width gauge blocks between blades, and level blades and insert wedges into frames to secure blades to frames.
3
Cut stock manually to prepare for machine cutting, using tools such as knives, cleavers, handsaws, or hammers and chisels.
4
Change or replace saw blades, cables, cutter heads, and grinding wheels, using hand tools.
5
Sharpen cutting blades, knives, or saws, using files, bench grinders, or honing stones.
6
Select and install machine components, such as cutting blades, rollers, and templates, according to specifications, using hand tools.
7
Wash stones, using water hoses.
Tasks are ranked by their AI resilience, with the most resilient tasks shown first. Core tasks are essential functions of this occupation, while supplemental tasks provide additional context.
