Machinists or tool and die makers: which will AI change more? AI and robots touch more of the day for machinists: 29m of an 8-hour shift, against 0m for tool and die makers. Tool and die makers earn more, a median of $64,050 against $58,750.
The two jobs share very close skills, including repairing, equipment maintenance, equipment selection, so moving between them is realistic for many people. Each column links to the full time card with every task.
| Machinists | Tool and Die Makers | |
|---|---|---|
| Touched by AI or robots | 29m | 0m |
| Done with AI's help | 0m | 0m |
| AI mostly alone | 0m | 0m |
| Robots | 29m | 0m |
| Still done by people | 7h 31m | 8h |
| Median pay | $58,750 | $64,050 |
| U.S. workers | 287,000 | 57,000 |
| Outlook to 2035 | +1% | -9.2% |
| Openings a year | 26,000 | 4,300 |
| Typical preparation | Vocational school or associate's degree | Vocational school or associate's degree |
| Biggest AI or robot task | Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process | none found |
Machinists
Where AI or robots show up most:
- Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process. (29m a shift)
Still done by people:
- Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders. (1h 34m a shift)
- Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations. (1h 4m a shift)
- Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers. (47m a shift)
Tool and Die Makers
No AI or robot use documented for any task yet.
Still done by people:
- Set up and operate conventional or computer numerically controlled machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, or grinders to cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape parts to prescribed dimensions and finishes. (2h 3m a shift)
- Fit and assemble parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools, hand tools, or welders. (55m a shift)
- Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators. (43m a shift)