Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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
Milling and Planing Machine 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 68% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 12,460 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $52,800 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 56% for contact with people.
- Also called: CNC Licensed Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Licensed Mill Operator), CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator), CNC Mill Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Operator), CNC Mill Set Up Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Set Up 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Observe milling or planing machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances | 20% | 30% to 75% | |
| Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists | 14% | 20% to 60% | |
| Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers | 13% | 20% to 60% | |
| Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines | 13% | 20% to 60% | |
| Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers | 6% | 30% to 75% | |
| Study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations | 6% | 55% to 85% | |
| Replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders | 5% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills milling and planing machine 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.
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic64% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,180
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners62% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,060
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,270
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators66% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,690
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Milling and Planing Machine 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 milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
Machines can do 27% of the tasks of milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic 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 51-4035.00 (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). Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/milling-and-planing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic/