Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Machines can already do 26% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 66%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 26% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 66% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 4,680 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $49,080 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 63% for contact with people.
- Also called: Bore Mill Operator, CNC Drilling Operator (Computer Numerical Control Drilling Operator), CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist), Drill Operator.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operate single- or multiple-spindle drill presses to bore holes so that machining operations can be performed on metal or plastic workpieces | 21% | 20% to 60% | |
| Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices | 12% | 20% to 60% | |
| Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems | 12% | 40% to 80% | |
| Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds | 10% | 30% to 75% | |
| Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements | 7% | 55% to 85% | |
| Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Lift workpieces onto work tables either manually or with hoists or direct crane operators to lift and position workpieces | 5% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Millwrights50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $65,700
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic65% of tasks by 2035 · US median $63,340
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $79,870
- Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $45,990
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
Machines can do 26% of the tasks of drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic today and 66% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-4032.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/drilling-and-boring-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic/