Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Machines can already do 27% 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
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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 66% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 16,710 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $50,620 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 52% for contact with people.
- Also called: CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator), CNC Setup Operator (Computer Numerical Control Setup Operator), Lathe Operator, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met | 13% | 30% to 75% | |
| Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators | 11% | 20% to 60% | |
| Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Lift metal stock or workpieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces | 7% | 30% to 75% | |
| Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences | 5% | 55% to 85% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills lathe and turning 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.
- Roof Bolters, Mining57% of tasks by 2035 · US median $78,540
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $79,870
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $56,210
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $60,850
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Lathe and Turning 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 lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
Machines can do 27% of the tasks of lathe and turning 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 51-4034.00 (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). Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/lathe-and-turning-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic/