Office Machine Operators, Except Computer
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
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 27% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 2% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 66% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 25,130 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $40,960 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 67% for contact with people.
- Also called: Copy Center Operator, Copy Machine Operator, Copy Technician, Graphics Production Specialist.
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 office machines such as high speed business photocopiers, readers, scanners, addressing machines, stencil-cutting machines, microfilm readers or printers, folding and inserting machines, bursters, and binder machines | 21% | 20% to 60% | |
| Sort, assemble, and proof completed work | 11% | 20% to 60% | |
| Monitor machine operation, and make adjustments as necessary to ensure proper operation | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Place original copies in feed trays, feed originals into feed rolls, or position originals on tables beneath camera lenses | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Set up and adjust machines, regulating factors such as speed, ink flow, focus, and number of copies | 7% | 30% to 75% | |
| Operate auxiliary machines such as collators, pad and tablet making machines, staplers, and paper punching, folding, cutting, and perforating machines | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Read job orders to determine the type of work to be done, the quantities to be produced, and the materials needed | 5% | 55% to 85% | |
| Deliver completed work | 5% | 30% to 75% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills office machine operators, except computer use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders62% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,650
- Cutters and Trimmers, Hand62% of tasks by 2035 · US median $38,020
- Cooks, Fast Food63% of tasks by 2035 · US median $30,890
- Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,060
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Office Machine Operators, Except Computer?
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 office machine operators, except computer?
Machines can do 27% of the tasks of office machine operators, except computer 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 43-9071.00 (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). Office Machine Operators, Except Computer: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/office-machine-operators-except-computer/