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Installation & Repair · Updated Aug 2026

Maintenance Workers, Machinery

Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
AI Exposure
42/100
Moderate

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

Replacement Risk
43/100
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
Confidence83/100
Task coverage90%

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
Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations.High
64
Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures.High
64
Collect and discard worn machine parts and other refuse to maintain machinery and work areas.Medium
68
Inventory and requisition machine parts, equipment, and other supplies so that stock can be maintained and replenished.Medium
64
Replace, empty, or replenish machine and equipment containers such as gas tanks or boxes.Medium
64
Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance.High
46
Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information.High
38
Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems.Medium
32
Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs.Medium
36
Clean machines and machine parts, using cleaning solvents, cloths, air guns, hoses, vacuums, or other equipment.Medium
41
Transport machine parts, tools, equipment, and other material between work areas and storage, using cranes, hoists, or dollies.Medium
35
Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists.High
25
Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment.High
26
Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications.High
23
Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work.High
21
Most exposed

Where AI can do more

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

  1. Collect and discard worn machine parts and other refuse to maintain machinery and work areas.68
  2. Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations.64
  3. Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures.64
  4. Inventory and requisition machine parts, equipment, and other supplies so that stock can be maintained and replenished.64
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. Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work.01
  2. Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications.02
  3. Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists.03
  4. Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment.04
  5. Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect 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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AI risk 47

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Closely related work

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AI risk 45

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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 dependency60
Physical dependency53
Adoption pressure45
Labour-market resilience68
Methodology & sources

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

Confidence83/100
CalculatedAug 21, 2026
Read methodology →