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AI exposure score

Maintenance Workers, Machinery

Maintenance Workers, Machinery score 14 out of 100, which is low exposure to AI. That ranks #694 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 18 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 2 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.

14/ 100
Low
Rank
#694of 923 jobs
US workers
60,020BLS, May 2025
Median pay
$60,850a year
In real AI use
0 of 18tasks, April–May 2026

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: 2 (11%)
  • AI can speed this up with extra software: 1 (6%)
  • Little or no AI speed-up: 15 (83%)
  • Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
  • Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
  • Inventory and requisition machine parts, equipment, and other supplies so that stock can be maintained and replenished.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Collect and discard worn machine parts and other refuse to maintain machinery and work areas.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Clean machines and machine parts, using cleaning solvents, cloths, air guns, hoses, vacuums, or other equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Transport machine parts, tools, equipment, and other material between work areas and storage, using cranes, hoists, or dollies.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Replace, empty, or replenish machine and equipment containers such as gas tanks or boxes.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Replace or repair metal, wood, leather, glass, or other lining in machines, or in equipment compartments or containers.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Remove hardened material from machines or machine parts, using abrasives, power and hand tools, jackhammers, sledgehammers, or other equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Measure, mix, prepare, and test chemical solutions used to clean or repair machinery and equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
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Questions about maintenance workers, machinery and AI

Will AI replace maintenance workers, machinery?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Maintenance Workers, Machinery score 14 out of 100 (low exposure), #694 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 3 of the job's 18 tasks, 2 of them on its own, while 15 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which maintenance workers, machinery tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance"; "Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information".

Which maintenance workers, machinery tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems"; "Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs"; "Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work".

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 maintenance workers, machinery, and what do they earn?

About 60,020 people in the US, with median pay of $60,850 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.

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