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Manufacturing & Production · Updated Aug 2026

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
AI Exposure
52/100
Moderate

How much of this occupation’s work can be materially affected by current AI systems.

Replacement Risk
47/100
Moderate

How likely exposure is to translate into reduced human demand.

Includes provisional estimates for AI adoption pressure and labour-market resilience. How this is measured

Evidence quality
Confidence81/100
Task coverage84%

Confidence reflects task coverage, mapping and capability-evidence quality, and how much of the score rests on provisional inputs.

Task-level evidence

What is driving the score?

Occupation scores are built from the task mix—not a single prediction about a job title.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
TaskImportanceAI impactExposure
Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges.High
69
Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.High
69
Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations.High
72
Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices.High
72
Lift workpieces onto work tables either manually or with hoists or direct crane operators to lift and position workpieces.High
72
Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles.High
72
Lay out reference lines and machining locations on work, using layout tools, and applying knowledge of shop math and layout techniques.Medium
70
Operate single- or multiple-spindle drill presses to bore holes so that machining operations can be performed on metal or plastic workpieces.Medium
69
Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems.High
32
Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.High
24
Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.High
22
Perform minor assembly, such as fastening parts with nuts, bolts, or screws, using power tools or hand tools.Medium
22
Turn valves and direct flow of coolants or cutting oil over cutting areas.High
17
Operate tracing attachments to duplicate contours from templates or models.Low
69
Most exposed

Where AI can do more

Routine, digitized, and highly repeatable tasks face the greatest pressure.

  1. Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations.72
  2. Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices.72
  3. Lift workpieces onto work tables either manually or with hoists or direct crane operators to lift and position workpieces.72
  4. Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles.72
Hardest to automate

Where people still matter

These tasks score lowest on automation feasibility—physical presence, judgement, accountability and real-world variability all resist end-to-end automation.

  1. Turn valves and direct flow of coolants or cutting oil over cutting areas.01
  2. Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.02
  3. Perform minor assembly, such as fastening parts with nuts, bolts, or screws, using power tools or hand tools.03
  4. Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.04
  5. Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems.05
Where else this work leads

Related occupations

Occupations O*NET links to this one. Relatedness reflects shared work, not a claim that these roles are safer.

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Beyond AI capability

Adoption and labour-market outlook

Structural factors are kept separate from raw capability so you can see what actually resists automation. Adoption pressure and labour-market resilience are still provisional models—25% of this occupation’s replacement-risk weight rests on them.

Human dependency59
Physical dependency64
Adoption pressure59
Labour-market resilience62
Methodology & sources

O*NET 30.3 occupational data interpreted through the JobsVsAI capability, automation and structural-constraint models.

Confidence81/100
CalculatedAug 21, 2026
Read methodology →