Cutters and trimmers, hand
SOC Code: 51-9031
Cutters and trimmers, hand carries a 30% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $38,800 and -18.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 7,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 30% AI exposure, Cutters and trimmers, hand sits 7 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 30% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Cutters and trimmers, hand sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Cutters and trimmers, hand has ai exposure of 30%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Cutters and trimmers, hand vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Cutters and trimmers, hand is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Cutters and trimmers, hand (SOC 51-9031) carries an AI exposure score of 30%, 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 7,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -18.1% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $38,800, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, 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 Cutters and trimmers, hand. 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. Mark or discard items with defects such as spots, stains, scars, snags, chips, scratches, or unacceptable shapes or finishes.
- 2. Trim excess material or cut threads off finished products, such as cutting loose ends of plastic off a manufactured toy for a smoother finish.
- 3. Cut, shape, and trim materials, such as textiles, food, glass, stone, and metal, using knives, scissors, and other hand tools, portable power tools, or bench-mounted tools.
- 4. Position templates or measure materials to locate specified points of cuts or to obtain maximum yields, using rules, scales, or patterns.
- 5. Read work orders to determine dimensions, cutting locations, and quantities to cut.
- 6. Mark cutting lines around patterns or templates, or follow layout points, using squares, rules, and straightedges, and chalk, pencils, or scribes.
- 7. Mark identification numbers, trademarks, grades, marketing data, sizes, or model numbers on products.
- 8. Unroll, lay out, attach, or mount materials or items on cutting tables or machines.
- 9. Separate materials or products according to size, weight, type, condition, color, or shade.
- 10. Fold or shape materials before or after cutting them.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Time Management
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Coordination
Knowledge Areas
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- Psychology
- Design
- Sociology and Anthropology
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Cutters and trimmers, hand?
Cutters and trimmers, hand has an AI exposure score of 30%, 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 Cutters and trimmers, hand?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Cutters and trimmers, hand is projected to decline by 18.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 7,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Cutters and trimmers, hand?
Key skills for Cutters and trimmers, hand include Active Listening, Speaking, Time Management, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Cutters and trimmers, hand earn?
The median annual wage for Cutters and trimmers, hand is $38,800, 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 Cutters and trimmers, hand?
The typical entry-level education for Cutters and trimmers, hand is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Cutters and trimmers, hand?
Cutters and trimmers, hand 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
Career Guides
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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).