Somewhat Resilient
Last Update: 8/30/2026
AI Resilience Score for Machine Setters & Tenders:
39.3%
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%).
Med
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.
There are a reasonable number of sources for this result, but there is some disagreement between them.
Contributing sources
AI Resilience Report forCutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
$46,330 median salary•13,200 annual openings•SOC Code: 51-4031.00
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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 the day-to-day work, not just hovering on the horizon. Smart machines are already handling tasks like adjusting settings, monitoring quality, and predicting maintenance needs, which means the repetitive, routine parts of the job are shifting toward automation.
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More career infoAnalysisChatNewsMoreThis role is somewhat resilient
This career sits in the "Somewhat Resilient" category because AI is genuinely changing the day-to-day work, not just hovering on the horizon. Smart machines are already handling tasks like adjusting settings, monitoring quality, and predicting maintenance needs, which means the repetitive, routine parts of the job are shifting toward automation.
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View analysisChat with CoachLatest newsMore career infoAnalysisChatNewsMoreAnalysis of Current AI Resilience
Machine Setters & Tenders
Updated Quarterly
How is AI changing Machine Setters & Tenders jobs?
If you're worried about robots taking over the press machine, here's the honest news: AI is starting to change this field, but mostly it's making machines smarter, not making operators disappear. At the huge Automate 2026 show, robot makers demonstrated cobots that can be "trained" by simply pointing a camera at a part or typing "metal ring" in plain English — Standard Bots' AI features let users train a robot to recognize objects by clicking on them in the camera's live feed, and Text Find lets users type a natural language description of a part for the robot to find, thanks to foundation models pretrained on billions of images [1]. In plastics processing, the trade association explains that AI can help adjust machine settings to minimize downtime, and predictive algorithms can forecast when a machine part needs replacement [2].
On the metal side, forecasters expect robotic stamping systems and AI-driven quality control to reduce cycle times by up to 30% and minimize defects, with IoT-enabled presses enabling real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance [3]. Most of this is augmentation — AI reads work orders, sets speeds, and watches the cut, while humans still load material, verify tolerances, troubleshoot, and clean up.
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for Machine Setters & Tenders?
Adoption is moving fast in big shops but slowly in small ones. Deloitte reports that nearly one-quarter (22%) of manufacturers plan to use physical AI in just two years — a more than twofold increase from today (9%) [4], and a 2026 survey found that the overwhelming majority of manufacturers are either using AI today or plan to use it within the next two years [5]. What's driving it?
A serious worker shortage — the Plastics Industry Association notes AI is being used to address challenges like talent shortages, rising operational costs, and the need for greater efficiency [2], and Metal Stamping Atlas warns that 25% of the workforce is nearing retirement [3]. What's slowing it? Cost and complexity.
The same source estimates high initial investments in automation of USD 1-5 million per line remain a barrier for SMEs [3], and Modern Machine Shop points out that just 6% of American manufacturers have a robot [1] because they've been "too hard to use and not capable enough." The good news for you: the BLS still projects production occupations to account for nearly 550,000 openings each year, on average, over the 2024–2034 decade [6]. Human judgment, hands-on setup, and problem-solving skills — the parts of the job hardest to automate — will keep this a real career for people who stay curious and keep learning.
Sources
Will AI replace Machine Setters & Tenders?
Not entirely. We think AI will take over some tasks, but not the whole job.
Our 39.3% AI Resilience Score tells the honest story here: this career faces real pressure, but it is not going away. AI is already making machines smarter in meaningful ways. Cobots can now be trained to recognize parts from a camera feed using plain-language descriptions, and predictive algorithms can forecast when a machine component needs replacement (mmsonline.com, plasticsindustry.org). AI handles the watching and adjusting. Humans still handle the setup, the judgment calls, and the troubleshooting when something goes wrong.
Adoption is accelerating, especially in larger shops. Nearly a quarter of manufacturers plan to use physical AI within two years [4], and robotic stamping systems are expected to reduce cycle times and minimize defects [3]. But high upfront costs of 1 to 5 million dollars per line remain a real barrier for smaller employers, and only 6% of American manufacturers currently have a robot [1].
The economic picture is tighter than the day-to-day job picture. Wage growth and career flexibility scores are low, so staying adaptable matters more than ever. The workers who will do best here are the ones who learn to work alongside the new tools, not against them.
Sources
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Latest AI news for Machine Setters & Tenders
These articles provide valuable insights for students interested in cutting, punching, and press machine careers. The Indiana Career Connect listing highlights job opportunities in Mount Summit, IN, emphasizing the demand in this field. Meanwhile, the AI-exposure score of 46/100 indicates moderate risk of automation. Understanding these dynamics can help students prepare for a resilient career by focusing on skills that machines can't easily replicate, such as problem-solving and machine maintenance. Staying informed about industry trends will be crucial in adapting to technological advancements.
Indiana Career Connect - Job Details
www.indianacareerconnect.com • 8/20/2026
Occupation: Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Location: Mount Summit, IN - 47361 Job Type: Regular, ...
Will AI Replace Press Machine Operators in 2026?
aicareerindex.com • 8/20/2026
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material. Test and adjust machine speeds ... Read more
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters ... - AI-Safe Careers
aisafe.careers • 8/20/2026
As of June 2026, Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic has an AI-exposure score of 46/100 (Moderate exposure) ...
Top 100 Jobs Most Vulnerable to Replacement by AI and ...
replacemeter.com • 8/20/2026
Jul 25, 2025 — Jobs with the highest automation risk ; 69, Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators and tenders, 99.26 % ; 70, Tax preparers, 99.13 % ; 71 ... Read more
More Career Info
Career: Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
They shape and cut metal and plastic parts using machines, making sure everything is the right size and shape for building products.
Parent Careers
Similar Careers
Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$46,330
Jobs (2025)
171,000
Growth (2025-35)
-10.5%
Annual Openings
13,200
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
Hone cutters with oilstones to remove nicks.
2
Remove housings, feed tubes, tool holders, or other accessories to replace worn or broken parts, such as springs or bushings.
3
Select, clean, and install spacers, rubber sleeves, or cutters on arbors.
4
Replace defective blades or wheels, using hand tools.
5
Sharpen dulled blades, using bench grinders, abrasive wheels, or lathes.
6
Install, align, and lock specified punches, dies, cutting blades, or other fixtures in rams or beds of machines, using gauges, templates, feelers, shims, and hand tools.
7
Set blade tensions, heights, and angles to perform prescribed cuts, using wrenches.
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.
