Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Machines can already do 27% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 68%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 27% 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 68% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 58,770 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $45,760 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 64% for contact with people.
- Also called: Extruder Operator, Extrusion Operator, Glass Forming Crew Member, Machine 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions | 15% | 30% to 75% | |
| Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients | 11% | 30% to 75% | |
| Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Clear jams, and remove defective or substandard materials or products | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Move materials, supplies, components, and finished products between storage and work areas, using work aids such as racks, hoists, and handtrucks | 6% | 30% to 75% | |
| Select and install machine components, such as dies, molds, and cutters, according to specifications, using hand tools and measuring devices | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Remove materials or products from molds or from extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines, and stack or store them for additional processing | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Record and maintain production data, such as meter readings, and quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced | 4% | 70% to 95% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic63% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,140
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic57% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,720
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic60% of tasks by 2035 · US median $46,550
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders64% of tasks by 2035 · US median $46,460
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
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 extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders?
Machines can do 27% of the tasks of extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders today and 68% 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 51-9041.00 (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). Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/extruding-forming-pressing-and-compacting-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders/