Compare Occupations

SUMMARY
84%
Imminent Risk
66%
High Risk
61%
High Risk
63%
High Risk
74%
High Risk
69%
High Risk
JOB SCORE 1.8/10 3.5/10 2.8/10 2.7/10 2.7/10 1.8/10
POLLING
66%
(High Risk, Based on 17 votes)
54%
(Moderate Risk, Based on 203 votes)
65%
(High Risk, Based on 27 votes)
50%
(Moderate Risk, Based on 26 votes)
66%
(High Risk, Based on 53 votes)
52%
(Moderate Risk, Based on 16 votes)
GROWTH
by year 2034
-12.1%
0.0%
-0.5%
-10.7%
0.0%
-13.6%
WAGES
$45,590
or $21.92 per hour
$56,150
or $26.99 per hour
$46,060
or $22.14 per hour
$49,970
or $24.02 per hour
$47,460
or $22.82 per hour
$48,620
or $23.37 per hour
VOLUME
as of 2024
174,430
298,790
129,850
176,950
591,180
18,970
SNOWFLAKE [?] The Snowflake is a visual summary of the five badges: Automation Risk (calculated), Risk (polled), Growth, Wages and Volume. It gives you an instant snapshot of an occupations profile. The colour of the Snowflake relates to its size. The better the occupation scores in relation to others, the larger and greener the Snowflake becomes. Snowflake diagram for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Snowflake diagram for Machinists Snowflake diagram for Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Snowflake diagram for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators Snowflake diagram for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Snowflake diagram for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
DESCRIPTION Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material. Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures. Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot. Operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic, wood, stone, or other materials. May also set up and maintain equipment. Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications. May use precision measuring instruments and complex test equipment. Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.

Compare Occupations Side by Side

Curious how automation and AI could affect your career? Our comparison tool lets you view two or more jobs side by side, helping you quickly spot differences in risk level, pay, growth, and popularity. All of this is based on a mix of academic research, user polling, and official labour data.

Automation Risk

Each occupation shows a probability of automation. A higher score means machines and algorithms are more likely to take over the role in the future.

Job Score

A quick summary of how a job performs overall — factoring in wages, growth, volume, and automation risk. It’s a handy way to see the bigger picture at a glance.

Polling Data

Thousands of visitors cast their votes on how “automatable” each job feels. These community insights are shown alongside the calculated probabilities.

Growth & Wages

See how fast each occupation is projected to grow and what people earn on average. High wages don’t always mean high security — automation risk still matters.

Volume of Workers

Explore how many people currently work in each occupation and in which year the data was recorded. Popularity can affect how disruptive automation will be for the wider economy.

The Snowflake Diagram

Each snowflake visualises the balance between automation risk, wages, growth, and job volume. Bigger and greener areas mean stronger performance in that dimension.

Use this comparison page to research careers, guide students, or simply explore the future of work. All data is regularly updated to keep the results relevant.