AI exposure score

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic score 6 out of 100, which is low exposure to AI. That ranks #804 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 18 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 1 on its own and 1 more with extra software built on top of it. None of its tasks showed up in real AI use in April–May 2026.

6/ 100

Low

Rank: #804of 923 jobs
US workers: 67,000BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $46,550a year
In real AI use: 0 of 18tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (6%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 1 (6%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 16 (89%)

Compute machine indexings and settings for specified dimensions and base reference points.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Move machine controls to index workpieces, and to adjust machines for pre-selected operational settings.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Select machine tooling to be used, using knowledge of machine and production requirements.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Mount and position tools in machine chucks, spindles, or other tool holding devices, using hand tools.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Activate machine start-up switches to grind, lap, hone, debar, shear, or cut workpieces, according to specifications.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic workpieces.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Set and adjust machine controls according to product specifications, using knowledge of machine operation.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Brush or spray lubricating compounds on workpieces, or turn valve handles and direct flow of coolant against tools and workpieces.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Lift and position workpieces, manually or with hoists, and secure them in hoppers or on machine tables, faceplates, or chucks, using clamps.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Repair or replace machine parts, using hand tools, or notify engineering personnel when corrective action is required.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Maintain stocks of machine parts and machining tools.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Thread and hand-feed materials through machine cutters or abraders.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Adjust air cylinders and setting stops to set traverse lengths and feed arm strokes.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Slide spacers between buffs on spindles to set spacing.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic and AI

Will AI replace grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic score 6 out of 100 (low exposure), #804 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 2 of the job's 18 tasks, 1 of them on its own, while 16 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Compute machine indexings and settings for specified dimensions and base reference points".

Which grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers"; "Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices"; "Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Not much yet. None of the job's tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude in April–May 2026, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic, and what do they earn?

About 67,000 people in the US, with median pay of $46,550 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.