Installation & MaintenanceO*NET: 49-9043.00
Will AI Replace Maintenance Workers, Machinery?
Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
64out of 100
High Risk
AI Risk Score
64/100
Risk Level
High
Job Zone
3/5
Medium
Total Tasks Analyzed
17
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists.
- ▸Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work.
- ▸Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications.
- ▸Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment.
- ▸Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance.
- ▸Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (1)
- Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information.
👤Requires Humans (7)
- Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists.
- Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work.
- Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications.
- Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment.
- Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance.
- Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs.
- Replace or repair metal, wood, leather, glass, or other lining in machines, or in equipment compartments or containers.
⚡AI-Assisted (9)
- Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures.
- Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations.
- Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems.
- Transport machine parts, tools, equipment, and other material between work areas and storage, using cranes, hoists, or dollies.
- Collect and discard worn machine parts and other refuse to maintain machinery and work areas.
- Inventory and requisition machine parts, equipment, and other supplies so that stock can be maintained and replenished.
- Remove hardened material from machines or machine parts, using abrasives, power and hand tools, jackhammers, sledgehammers, or other equipment.
- Replace, empty, or replenish machine and equipment containers such as gas tanks or boxes.
Key Skills Analysis
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Equipment Maintenance
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Troubleshooting
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Repairing
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Quality Control AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Installation
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Related Occupations
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
68/100 — High Risk
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
89/100 — Critical Risk
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
65/100 — High Risk
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
89/100 — Critical Risk
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
74/100 — High Risk
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Maintenance Workers, Machinery have a high risk of AI replacement with a score of 64/100. Many routine tasks in this role can be automated, but human oversight remains important.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research