Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Machines can already do 25% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 63%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 25% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 63% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 25,250 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $50,140 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 71% for contact with people.
- Also called: Breakdown Mill Operator, Calender Operator, Cold Mill 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitor machine cycles and mill operation to detect jamming and to ensure that products conform to specifications | 22% | 20% to 60% | |
| Adjust and correct machine set-ups to reduce thicknesses, reshape products, and eliminate product defects | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Examine, inspect, and measure raw materials and finished products to verify conformance to specifications | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Manipulate controls and observe dial indicators to monitor, adjust, and regulate speeds of machine mechanisms | 7% | 30% to 75% | |
| Set distance points between rolls, guides, meters, and stops, according to specifications | 6% | 30% to 75% | |
| Start operation of rolling and milling machines to flatten, temper, form, and reduce sheet metal sections and to produce steel strips | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Read rolling orders, blueprints, and mill schedules to determine setup specifications, work sequences, product dimensions, and installation procedures | 5% | 55% to 85% | |
| Install equipment such as guides, guards, gears, cooling equipment, and rolls, using hand tools | 5% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills rolling 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.
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic60% of tasks by 2035 · US median $46,550
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic57% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,720
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders60% of tasks by 2035 · US median $43,220
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing60% of tasks by 2035 · US median $43,380
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
Machines can do 25% of the tasks of rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic today and 63% 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 51-4023.00 (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). Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/rolling-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic/