Human edge, steady

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 pieces.

AI Resistance Index 24 of 99

Changing faster than most: more resilient than 24% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by -13.2% by 2035, expected to shrink. The work leans on physical dexterity.

AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.

Median pay (2025): $52,800
Job growth to 2035: -13.2%
Openings a year: 1,000
People doing it (2025): 12,400
Usual route in: High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training

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Where people already use AI for this work

Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance
Select materials or equipment for operations or projects
Determine operational methods or procedures

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Position workpieces or materials on equipment
Remove workpieces from production equipment
Position materials or components for assembly

What the work looks like

Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
Observe milling or planing machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects

Fewer of these jobs, as robotics, CNC operated machines, and other programmable/automated machines replace less advanced machines increasing efficiency.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

Timing device assemblers and adjustersHuman edge, steady, Index 27, -6.1%
Fiberglass laminators and fabricatorsHuman edge, growing, Index 86, +4.6%
Structural metal fabricators and fittersHuman edge, steady, Index 54, -6.2%
Sewers, handHuman edge, steady, Index 46, -12.0%

Also known as: CNC Licensed Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Licensed Mill Operator), CNC Mill Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Operator), Machine Operator, Mill Operator, CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator), CNC Mill Set Up Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Set Up Operator), Machine Set Up Operator, Miller.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.