AI exposure by field

Will AI replace production jobs?

The 107 production jobs in the index score 13 out of 100 on average, which is low exposure to AI. That ranks the field #21 of 22, where #1 is the most exposed. Together these jobs employ about 8,667,450 people in the US.

Very high 1 job
Elevated 4 jobs
Moderate 15 jobs
Low 87 jobs

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Most exposed

Least exposed

All 107 production jobs, most exposed first

Scores run from 0 (AI can speed up almost none of the tasks) to 100 (almost all of them). How scores work.

#	Job	Exposure	Level	US workers	Median pay
1	Computer Numerically Controlled Tool ProgrammersProduction	80	Very high	28,500	$68,120
2	Fabric and Apparel PatternmakersProduction	47	Elevated	2,950	$62,750
3	Prepress Technicians and WorkersProduction	44	Elevated	23,840	$48,690
4	Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersProduction	42	Elevated	597,370	$48,570
5	First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersProduction	40	Elevated	673,430	$74,450
6	Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine OperatorsProduction	38	Moderate	4,800	$40,610
7	Power Distributors and DispatchersProduction	38	Moderate	8,520	$106,730
8	Nuclear Power Reactor OperatorsProduction	32	Moderate	5,150	$122,890
9	Printing Press OperatorsProduction	29	Moderate	144,260	$45,780
10	BakersProduction	26	Moderate	236,200	$37,160
11	Patternmakers, WoodProduction	26	Moderate	220	$49,630
12	Computer Numerically Controlled Tool OperatorsProduction	25	Moderate	169,450	$50,690
13	Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticProduction	24	Moderate	12,460	$52,800
14	Team AssemblersProduction	24	Moderate	1,405,030	$44,650
15	MachinistsProduction	23	Moderate	287,050	$58,750
16	Semiconductor Processing TechniciansProduction	23	Moderate	31,460	$51,430
17	Power Plant OperatorsProduction	23	Moderate	29,320	$102,040
18	Gem and Diamond WorkersProduction	23	Moderate	22,440	$52,540
19	Coil Winders, Tapers, and FinishersProduction	22	Moderate	12,840	$48,220
20	Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersProduction	20	Moderate	33,160	$96,710
21	UpholsterersProduction	19	Low	20,140	$46,340
22	Tool and Die MakersProduction	19	Low	56,930	$64,050
23	Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal WorkersProduction	18	Low	22,440	$52,540
24	Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticProduction	18	Low	14,000	$48,750
25	Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticProduction	18	Low	25,250	$50,140
26	Stationary Engineers and Boiler OperatorsProduction	16	Low	28,250	$78,620
27	Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticProduction	16	Low	16,710	$50,620
28	Model Makers, Metal and PlasticProduction	16	Low	2,610	$63,340
29	Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersProduction	16	Low	9,000	$38,760
30	Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and TendersProduction	16	Low	14,280	$48,040
31	Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and TendersProduction	16	Low	5,310	$38,180
32	Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersProduction	16	Low	13,030	$39,530
33	Model Makers, WoodProduction	15	Low	280	$56,550
34	Chemical Equipment Operators and TendersProduction	15	Low	139,630	$58,040
35	Patternmakers, Metal and PlasticProduction	15	Low	1,470	$58,000
36	Chemical Plant and System OperatorsProduction	15	Low	16,610	$78,120
37	Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersProduction	14	Low	60,100	$51,610
38	Medical Appliance TechniciansProduction	14	Low	11,280	$48,030
39	Etchers and EngraversProduction	14	Low	7,750	$43,310
40	Biomass Plant TechniciansProduction	13	Low	29,320	$102,040
41	Butchers and Meat CuttersProduction	13	Low	136,430	$40,140
42	Layout Workers, Metal and PlasticProduction	13	Low	5,970	$63,870
43	Food Cooking Machine Operators and TendersProduction	13	Low	31,250	$41,590
44	Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System OperatorsProduction	13	Low	128,490	$60,020
45	Cabinetmakers and Bench CarpentersProduction	12	Low	77,170	$46,680
46	Food BatchmakersProduction	12	Low	174,520	$42,290
47	Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and FinishersProduction	11	Low	33,190	$46,170
48	Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersProduction	11	Low	94,920	$48,990
49	Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersProduction	11	Low	26,000	$48,540
50	Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and TendersProduction	11	Low	14,760	$43,530
51	Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and TendersProduction	10	Low	16,780	$54,430
52	Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticProduction	10	Low	32,410	$43,960
53	Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticProduction	10	Low	124,590	$47,180
54	Hydroelectric Plant TechniciansProduction	10	Low	29,320	$102,040
55	Electrical and Electronic Equipment AssemblersProduction	10	Low	259,810	$45,930
56	Engine and Other Machine AssemblersProduction	10	Low	34,000	$53,710
57	Biofuels Processing TechniciansProduction	9	Low	14,080	$62,470
58	Gas Plant OperatorsProduction	9	Low	18,030	$87,820
59	Ophthalmic Laboratory TechniciansProduction	9	Low	18,660	$39,460
60	Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom SewersProduction	9	Low	13,920	$41,640
61	Print Binding and Finishing WorkersProduction	9	Low	33,180	$42,290
62	Helpers--Production WorkersProduction	9	Low	165,700	$39,070
63	Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersProduction	9	Low	416,210	$53,750
64	Shoe Machine Operators and TendersProduction	9	Low	3,280	$35,650
65	Stone Cutters and Carvers, ManufacturingProduction	9	Low	33,190	$46,170
66	Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersProduction	9	Low	22,020	$38,670
67	Potters, ManufacturingProduction	8	Low	33,190	$46,170
68	Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticProduction	8	Low	150,470	$44,350
69	Sewing Machine OperatorsProduction	8	Low	104,880	$36,670
70	Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and TendersProduction	8	Low	6,900	$41,330
71	Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersProduction	8	Low	58,770	$45,760
72	Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass FibersProduction	7	Low	12,850	$46,350
73	Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersProduction	7	Low	44,980	$46,570
74	Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersProduction	7	Low	31,600	$47,920
75	Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and TendersProduction	7	Low	20,370	$44,810
76	Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except SawingProduction	7	Low	61,420	$43,380
77	Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and TendersProduction	6	Low	11,500	$46,460
78	Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticProduction	6	Low	67,000	$46,550
79	Timing Device Assemblers and AdjustersProduction	6	Low	250	$62,620
80	Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, WoodProduction	6	Low	40,850	$42,770
81	Shoe and Leather Workers and RepairersProduction	6	Low	7,450	$37,800
82	Laundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction	5	Low	198,040	$34,890
83	Electromechanical Equipment AssemblersProduction	5	Low	259,810	$45,930
84	Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersProduction	4	Low	158,740	$48,250
85	Dental Laboratory TechniciansProduction	4	Low	34,410	$49,610
86	Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticProduction	4	Low	8,930	$49,030
87	Sewers, HandProduction	4	Low	2,190	$36,480
88	Grinding and Polishing Workers, HandProduction	4	Low	10,510	$42,660
89	Tool Grinders, Filers, and SharpenersProduction	3	Low	5,600	$50,060
90	Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticProduction	3	Low	4,680	$49,080
91	Furniture FinishersProduction	3	Low	14,480	$44,540
92	Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems AssemblersProduction	3	Low	34,020	$65,380
93	Structural Metal Fabricators and FittersProduction	2	Low	52,360	$51,330
94	Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticProduction	2	Low	60,840	$47,720
95	Fiberglass Laminators and FabricatorsProduction	2	Low	16,170	$46,880
96	Tire BuildersProduction	2	Low	20,770	$57,390
97	Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related MaterialsProduction	1	Low	26,120	$35,060
98	Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticProduction	1	Low	171,200	$46,330
99	Cutters and Trimmers, HandProduction	0	Low	6,060	$38,020
100	Foundry Mold and CoremakersProduction	0	Low	12,790	$48,110
101	Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and TrimmersProduction	0	Low	145,700	$38,300
102	Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and PlasticProduction	0	Low	33,190	$46,170
103	Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersProduction	0	Low	379,060	$43,220
104	Painting, Coating, and Decorating WorkersProduction	0	Low	7,940	$41,600
105	Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersProduction	0	Low	96,130	$50,270
106	Pourers and Casters, MetalProduction	0	Low	4,560	$51,810
107	Slaughterers and Meat PackersProduction	0	Low	69,950	$40,130

Questions about production jobs and AI

Will AI replace production jobs?

Not as a whole. The 107 production jobs in the index have an average AI exposure score of 13 out of 100 (low), #21 of 22 fields. Exposure means parts of the work are likely to change, not that the jobs will disappear.

Which production jobs are most exposed to AI?

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers (80/100), Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers (47/100), Prepress Technicians and Workers (44/100).

Which production jobs are safest from AI?

Slaughterers and Meat Packers (0/100), Pourers and Casters, Metal (0/100), Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (0/100).

How many people work in production jobs?

About 8,667,450 people in the US work in the jobs listed here (BLS, May 2025).

Will AI replace production jobs?

Follow how AI is changing production work.

Most exposed

Least exposed

All 107 production jobs, most exposed first

Questions about production jobs and AI

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