Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Production Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 51-4034.00
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.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Moderate· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.17–0.18· 2 ISCO-08 groups
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
ILO value for each linked ISCO-08 group
- ISCO-08 7223Metal Working Machine Tool Setters and Operators0.18
- ISCO-08 8142Plastic Products Machine Operators0.17
Task-level exposure
Exposed tasks only16 rated tasks · 3 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (18.8%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Select cutting tools and tooling instructions, according to written specifications or knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.O*NET Task ID 11996 | 1.0 |
Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.O*NET Task ID 12001 | 1.0 |
Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences.O*NET Task ID 11992 | 0.5 |
Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.O*NET Task ID 11991 | 0.0 |
Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.O*NET Task ID 11993 | 0.0 |
Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces.O*NET Task ID 11994 | 0.0 |
Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met.O*NET Task ID 11995 | 0.0 |
Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.O*NET Task ID 11997 | 0.0 |
Lift metal stock or workpieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools.O*NET Task ID 11998 | 0.0 |
Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.O*NET Task ID 11999 | 0.0 |
Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments.O*NET Task ID 12000 | 0.0 |
Install holding fixtures, cams, gears, and stops to control stock and tool movement, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments.O*NET Task ID 12002 | 0.0 |
Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces.O*NET Task ID 12003 | 0.0 |
Turn valve handles to direct the flow of coolant onto work areas or to coat disks with spinning compounds.O*NET Task ID 12004 | 0.0 |
Mount attachments, such as relieving or tracing attachments, to perform operations, such as duplicating contours of templates or trimming workpieces.O*NET Task ID 12005 | 0.0 |
Refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines.O*NET Task ID 20923 | 0.0 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (18)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators. | Core |
| Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences. | Core |
| Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances. | Core |
| Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces. | Core |
| Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met. | Core |
| Select cutting tools and tooling instructions, according to written specifications or knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics. | Core |
| Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances. | Core |
| Lift metal stock or workpieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools. | Core |
| Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines. | Core |
| Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments. | Core |
| Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics. | Core |
| Install holding fixtures, cams, gears, and stops to control stock and tool movement, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments. | Core |
| Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces. | Core |
| Turn valve handles to direct the flow of coolant onto work areas or to coat disks with spinning compounds. | Core |
| Mount attachments, such as relieving or tracing attachments, to perform operations, such as duplicating contours of templates or trimming workpieces. | Core |
| Refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines. | Core |
| Program computer numerical control machines. | Core |
| Clean work area. | Core |
1.09/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces. | E2 structured facilities |
| Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met. | E2 structured facilities |
| Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances. | E0 none |
| Lift metal stock or workpieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Install holding fixtures, cams, gears, and stops to control stock and tool movement, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces. | E2 structured facilities |
| Turn valve handles to direct the flow of coolant onto work areas or to coat disks with spinning compounds. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Mount attachments, such as relieving or tracing attachments, to perform operations, such as duplicating contours of templates or trimming workpieces. | E0 none |
| Refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines. | E2 structured facilities |
| Clean work area. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 17K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 15K
- Change (2025–35)
- -11.3%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $50,620
- Typical education needed for entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85101 | 선반기 조작원 | This occupation is broader | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 7223Metal Working Machine Tool Setters and Operators
- ISCO-08 8142Plastic Products Machine Operators
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- lathe and turning machine operatorESCO 7223.4.4Same scope
Lathe and turning machine operators set up, program and tend lathe and turning machines designed to cut excess metal from a metal workpiece using a hardened cutting tool moved by computer-controlled motors. They read lathe and turning machine blueprints and tooling instructions, perform regular machine maintenance, and make adjustments to the lathe controls, such as the depth of cuts and the rotation speed.
- computer numerical control machine operatorESCO 7223.4This occupation is narrower
Computer numerical control machine operators set-up, maintain and control a computer numerical control machine in order to execute the product orders. They are responsible for programming the machines, ensuring the required parameters and measurements are met while maintaining the quality and safety standards.
- metal planer operatorESCO 7223.12This occupation is broader
Metal planer operators set up and operate a planer, which is a metalworking machine designed to cut excess material from a metal workpiece using linear relative motion between the planer's cutting tool and the workpiece in order to create a linear toolpath and cut.
- metalworking lathe operatorESCO 7223.4.4.1This occupation is broader
Metalworking lathe operators set up and tend a metalworking lathe manually, which is responsible for cutting metal to its desired size and shape by usage of a gear train or a swapping gear that propels the main lead-screw at a variable speed ratio, thus rotating the metal workpiece on its axis, facilitating the cutting process. They check the lathe equipment for wear and handle the metal workpieces as they have been cut by the lathe.
- screw machine operatorESCO 7223.19This occupation is broader
Screw machine operators set up and tend mechanical screw machines designed to manufacture (threaded) screws out of processed metal workpieces, specifically small- to medium-sized ones that have been turned by a lathe and turn machine.
- fitter and turnerESCO 7223.7Overlapping, not the same
Fitters and turners use machine tools to create and modify metal parts according to set specifications in order to fit components for machinery. They ensure the finished components are ready for assembly.
- milling machine operatorESCO 7223.4.6Overlapping, not the same
Milling machine operators set up, program and control milling machines, designed to cut excess material from metal workpieces using a computer-controlled rotary-cutting, milling cutter. They read milling machine blueprints and tooling instructions, perform regular machine maintenance, and make adjustments to the milling controls, such as the depth of cuts or the rotation speed.
- router operatorESCO 7223.17Overlapping, not the same
Router operators set up and operate multi-spindle routing machines, in order to hollow-out or cut various hard materials such as wood, composites, aluminium, steel, plastics; and others, such as foams. They are also able to read blueprints to determine cutting locations and specific sizes.
- woodturnerESCO 7523.6Overlapping, not the same
Woodturners use a lathe to remove superfluous material from wood. The lathe turns the workpiece around its axis, as shape tools are used to obtain the desired shape.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| H2903 | Usineur / Usineuse | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| H2912 | Régleur / Régleuse d'équipements industriels | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 7323 | Ajustadores y operadores de máquinas-herramienta | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 24232 | Berufe in der spanenden Metallbearbeitung - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| 24201 | Berufe in der Metallbearbeitung (ohne Spezialisierung) - Helfer-/Anlerntätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 523 | 金属工作機械作業従事者 | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| 538 | ゴム・プラスチック製品製造従事者 | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources