Not Very Resilient
Last Update: 8/30/2026
AI Resilience Score for Drilling Machine Operator:
30.4%
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.
There are a reasonable number of sources for this result, but there is some disagreement between them.
Contributing sources
AI Resilience Report forDrilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
$49,080 median salary•400 annual openings•SOC Code: 51-4032.00
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are less resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 5 sources.
This career is labeled "Not Very Resilient" because the core physical task, drilling and boring holes in metal and plastic, has already been automated for years through CNC machines, and now AI is making those machines even smarter and more self-sufficient by adjusting settings in real time without human input. As AI tools like adaptive drilling controls and easier-to-use robots continue to improve, fewer workers will be needed to monitor and run these machines, which is reflected in the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 7% decline in total employment for this field.
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This career is labeled "Not Very Resilient" because the core physical task, drilling and boring holes in metal and plastic, has already been automated for years through CNC machines, and now AI is making those machines even smarter and more self-sufficient by adjusting settings in real time without human input. As AI tools like adaptive drilling controls and easier-to-use robots continue to improve, fewer workers will be needed to monitor and run these machines, which is reflected in the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 7% decline in total employment for this field.
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Drilling Machine Operator
Updated Quarterly
How is AI changing Drilling Machine Operator jobs?
If you're eyeing a career running drilling or boring machines, here's the honest picture: the physical act of drilling holes has been mostly automated for years by CNC (computer numerical control) machines — what's new in 2026 is AI adding a "brain" on top of those machines. For example, DMG MORI's Adaptive Drilling Control uses sensors to measure pressure, flow rate, and spindle load in real time, feeding a closed-loop system that adjusts coolant and machining strategy on the fly [1], which extends tool life by up to 30%. AI is also making shop-floor robots easier to work alongside humans — Modern Machine Shop reports that Universal Robots' UR AI Trainer lets operators guide cobots through tasks to train custom AI models, and FANUC now uses NVIDIA's Jetson Thor edge AI to dynamically avoid obstacles during palletizing [2].
The good news: setup, workholding, blueprint interpretation, and troubleshooting still lean heavily on human judgment, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics still projects about 78,100 openings each year for metal and plastic machine workers through 2035, even as total employment declines about 7% [3].
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for Drilling Machine Operator?
Adoption is happening, but slower than headlines suggest. Modern Machine Shop notes that just 6% of American manufacturers use any robot at all, largely because robots have historically been "too hard to use and not capable enough" [2]. Smaller shops face real cost hurdles — advancedmanufacturing.org (SME) reports SMMs struggle with tight budgets, legacy systems that don't integrate, and a technical-expertise gap compared to large OEMs [4].
Worker attitudes matter too: a PwC and Manufacturing Institute survey found that 62% of frontline workers are skeptical of AI and only 24% are excited, with 54% of respondents reporting low confidence in leaders' readiness to guide AI change [5]. Still, the money is coming — Deloitte's 2026 outlook found 80% of manufacturing executives plan to invest 20% or more of their improvement budgets in smart-manufacturing initiatives, with agentic AI expected to help capture knowledge from retiring workers [6]. Translation for you: workers who learn to program, troubleshoot, and supervise AI-assisted machines will be in strong demand — the machines still need someone who can read a blueprint, set the job up right, and know when something looks wrong.
Sources
Will AI replace Drilling Machine Operator?
In part. We think AI will eventually automate a real share of this work, but skilled operators who can adapt will still have a path forward.
Drilling and boring machines were already largely automated by CNC technology before AI entered the picture. Now AI is adding real-time decision-making on top, like systems that adjust coolant and machining strategy based on live sensor data to extend tool life [1]. That combination puts a lot of the repetitive, button-pushing work at genuine risk, which is why we gave this role a 30.4% AI Resilience Score.
That said, setup, workholding, blueprint reading, and troubleshooting still depend on human judgment, and AI adoption in smaller shops is slower than headlines suggest. Only 6% of American manufacturers currently use any robot at all, partly because of cost and integration challenges (mmsonline.com, advancedmanufacturing.org). The workers who will do best are those who learn to program, supervise, and troubleshoot AI-assisted machines rather than just run them.
If you are in this field, think about your career as a journey toward broader machining skills. CNC programming, quality inspection, and process technician roles are natural next steps. The machines still need someone who knows when something looks wrong.
Sources
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Latest AI news for Drilling Machine Operator
These articles highlight the evolving role of AI in the drilling and boring machine tool industry. While there is a 79/100 automation risk score, the profession still requires hands-on skills that AI struggles to replicate, such as real-time adjustments and precise problem-solving. For instance, AI can optimize drilling paths, but human operators are needed for intricate tasks. Students can find resilience by embracing technology, learning to work alongside AI, and honing their unique skills that machines can't easily replace. This balance can lead to a strong future in their careers.
Will AI replace Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters ...
doesaidomyjob.com • 8/20/2026
About 15% of a typical week for Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is work current AI systems can already ...
Drilling & Boring Machine Tool Setters - AI Job Risk Check
aijobriskcheck.com • 8/20/2026
AI struggles with the physical precision, real-time adjustments, and hands-on problem solving that define this occupation. Software may ... Read more
AI and the Supply and Demand for Labor
bharatchandar.substack.com • 8/20/2026
The effect of technology on labor demand balances two forces. On the one hand, it replaces tasks that are presently done by humans. There are ... Read more
Will AI Replace Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators ...
www.aiexposure.org • 8/20/2026
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic scored 79/100 for AI automation risk. 5310 Americans hold this job.
Will AI Replace the Drilling Operator?
www.thedriller.com • 8/20/2026
Jun 27, 2024 — AI-driven systems can monitor drilling operations in real-time, predicting equipment failures before they occur, optimizing drilling paths, and ... Read more
More Career Info
Career: Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
They operate machines that drill or bore holes into metal and plastic parts, making sure everything fits together correctly for manufacturing products.
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Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$49,080
Jobs (2025)
4,700
Growth (2025-35)
-9.5%
Annual Openings
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
Sharpen cutting tools, using bench grinders.
2
Perform minor assembly, such as fastening parts with nuts, bolts, or screws, using power tools or hand tools.
3
Lift workpieces onto work tables either manually or with hoists or direct crane operators to lift and position workpieces.
4
Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices.
5
Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches.
6
Install tools in spindles.
7
Operate tracing attachments to duplicate contours from templates or models.
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.
