Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders
SOC Code: 51-9191
Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders carries a 38% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $45,210 and +1.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 12,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders (SOC 51-9191) carries an AI exposure score of 38%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 12,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +1.0% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $45,210, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Align and position materials being joined to ensure accurate application of adhesive or heat sealing.
- 2. Adjust machine components according to specifications such as widths, lengths, and thickness of materials and amounts of glue, cement, or adhesive required.
- 3. Monitor machine operations to detect malfunctions and report or resolve problems.
- 4. Start machines, and turn valves or move controls to feed, admit, apply, or transfer materials and adhesives, and to adjust temperature, pressure, and time settings.
- 5. Fill machines with glue, cement, or adhesives.
- 6. Perform test production runs and make adjustments as necessary to ensure that completed products meet standards and specifications.
- 7. Examine and measure completed materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices such as tape measures, gauges, or calipers.
- 8. Read work orders and communicate with coworkers to determine machine and equipment settings and adjustments and supply and product specifications.
- 9. Remove and stack completed materials or products, and restock materials to be joined.
- 10. Observe gauges, meters, and control panels to obtain information about equipment temperatures and pressures, or the speed of feeders or conveyors.
Key Skills Required
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Reading Comprehension
- Coordination
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
Knowledge Areas
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Chemistry
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders?
Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders has an AI exposure score of 38%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders is projected to grow by 1.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 12,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders?
Key skills for Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders earn?
The median annual wage for Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders is $45,210, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders?
The typical entry-level education for Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders?
Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).