Which production & manufacturing jobs are safest from AI?

The safest production & manufacturing jobs include Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other (18/100). These roles require human judgment, creativity, or physical skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

Will AI Replace Production & Manufacturing Jobs?

Q: Will AI replace production & manufacturing jobs?

Based on our analysis of 114 occupations in Production & Manufacturing, the average AI replacement risk is 80/100. 97 jobs face high risk (70+), while 1 jobs have low risk (under 30). The impact varies significantly by specific role and the types of tasks involved.

Q: Which production & manufacturing jobs are most at risk from AI?

The highest-risk production & manufacturing jobs include Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers (92/100), Power Distributors and Dispatchers (91/100), Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers (91/100). These roles involve tasks that AI can increasingly automate.

We analyzed 114 occupations in production & manufacturing to determine their AI replacement risk. The average risk score is 80/100.

114

Jobs Analyzed

80/100

Average Risk

High Risk (70+)

Low Risk (<30)

Risk Distribution

Critical (80-100)

High (60-79)

Moderate (40-59)

Low (20-39)

Very Low (0-19)

⚠️ Highest Risk Production & Manufacturing Jobs

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

Develop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. May ...

Power Distributors and Dispatchers

Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.......

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers

Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled par...

Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders

Operate or tend machines to bleach, shrink, wash, dye, or finish textiles or synthetic or glass fibers.......

Gem and Diamond Workers

Fabricate, finish, or evaluate the quality of gems and diamonds used in jewelry or industrial tools.......

Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers

Assemble or modify electromechanical equipment or devices, such as servomechanisms, gyros, dynamometers, magnetic drums,...

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bar...

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or...

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pie...

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, milling and engraving machines, and jig borers to make working models of me...

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates...

Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.......

+ 85 more high-risk jobs in Production & Manufacturing

✅ Safest Production & Manufacturing Jobs

Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other

All textile, apparel, and furnishings workers not listed separately.......

All Production & Manufacturing Jobs by AI Risk

Job Title	Risk Score	Risk Level
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers	92	Critical
Power Distributors and Dispatchers	91	Critical
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	91	Critical
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders	90	Critical
Gem and Diamond Workers	90	Critical
Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers	89	Critical
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	89	Critical
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	89	Critical
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	89	Critical
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic	89	Critical
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic	89	Critical
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	89	Critical
Tool and Die Makers	89	Critical
Prepress Technicians and Workers	89	Critical
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers	89	Critical
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	89	Critical
Machinists	88	Critical
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders	88	Critical
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	88	Critical
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	88	Critical
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators	88	Critical
Gas Plant Operators	88	Critical
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	88	Critical
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	88	Critical
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	88	Critical
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians	88	Critical
Semiconductor Processing Technicians	88	Critical
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders	88	Critical
Etchers and Engravers	88	Critical
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	88	Critical
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	87	Critical
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers	87	Critical
Bakers	87	Critical
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders	87	Critical
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	87	Critical
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	87	Critical
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	87	Critical
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders	87	Critical
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	87	Critical
Printing Press Operators	87	Critical
Print Binding and Finishing Workers	87	Critical
Patternmakers, Wood	87	Critical
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators	87	Critical
Chemical Plant and System Operators	87	Critical
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand	87	Critical
Dental Laboratory Technicians	87	Critical
Medical Appliance Technicians	87	Critical
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers	87	Critical
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders	87	Critical
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders	87	Critical
Tire Builders	87	Critical
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers	86	Critical
Food Batchmakers	86	Critical
Pourers and Casters, Metal	86	Critical
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	86	Critical
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic	86	Critical
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners	86	Critical
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials	86	Critical
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing	86	Critical
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers	86	Critical
Biofuels Processing Technicians	86	Critical
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders	86	Critical
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	86	Critical
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers	86	Critical
Helpers--Production Workers	86	Critical
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers	85	Critical
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators	85	Critical
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters	85	Critical
Slaughterers and Meat Packers	85	Critical
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders	85	Critical
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	85	Critical
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	85	Critical
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	85	Critical
Model Makers, Wood	85	Critical
Biomass Plant Technicians	85	Critical
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians	85	Critical
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	85	Critical
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand	85	Critical
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers	84	Critical
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters	84	Critical
Team Assemblers	84	Critical
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers	84	Critical
Foundry Mold and Coremakers	84	Critical
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters	84	Critical
Furniture Finishers	84	Critical
Power Plant Operators	84	Critical
Butchers and Meat Cutters	83	Critical
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers	83	Critical
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood	83	Critical
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	81	Critical
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers	75	High
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders	74	High
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers	74	High
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators	73	High
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	72	High
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators	71	High
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic	70	High
Potters, Manufacturing	69	High
Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing	68	High
Sewing Machine Operators	65	High
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	65	High
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers	64	High
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders	62	High
Sewers, Hand	60	High
Upholsterers	60	High
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers	58	Medium
Production Workers, All Other	40	Medium
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other	38	Low
Woodworkers, All Other	37	Low
Assemblers and Fabricators, All Other	35	Low
Food Processing Workers, All Other	35	Low
Plant and System Operators, All Other	35	Low
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	34	Low
Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other	18	Very Low

Future-Proof Your Production & Manufacturing Career

With an average risk score of 80/100, production & manufacturing workers should prioritize building AI-complementary skills.

Browse AI Courses on Coursera →Skill Up on Udemy →

Frequently Asked Questions

Will AI replace production & manufacturing jobs?

Based on our analysis of 114 occupations, the average AI replacement risk in production & manufacturing is 80/100. 97 jobs face high risk, while 1 jobs have low risk. The impact varies significantly depending on the specific tasks involved in each role.

Which production & manufacturing jobs are most at risk?

The highest-risk jobs include Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers (92/100), Power Distributors and Dispatchers (91/100), Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers (91/100). These roles involve repetitive or data-processing tasks that AI can increasingly handle.

How can production & manufacturing workers prepare for AI?

Focus on skills that AI struggles with: creative problem-solving, emotional intelligence, complex physical tasks, and strategic thinking. Consider learning to work alongside AI tools rather than competing with them. Upskilling in data literacy and AI fundamentals can also help you leverage these technologies in your current role.