Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
SOC Code: 51-4023
Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic carries a 45% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $48,630 and -8.3% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 22,500 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 45% AI exposure, Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic sits 8 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 81% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic has ai exposure of 45%. 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.
Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic 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
Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (SOC 51-4023) carries an AI exposure score of 45%, placing it in the High 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 in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 22,500 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -8.3% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $48,630, 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 Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic. 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. Monitor machine cycles and mill operation to detect jamming and to ensure that products conform to specifications.
- 2. Adjust and correct machine set-ups to reduce thicknesses, reshape products, and eliminate product defects.
- 3. Start operation of rolling and milling machines to flatten, temper, form, and reduce sheet metal sections and to produce steel strips.
- 4. Examine, inspect, and measure raw materials and finished products to verify conformance to specifications.
- 5. Read rolling orders, blueprints, and mill schedules to determine setup specifications, work sequences, product dimensions, and installation procedures.
- 6. Thread or feed sheets or rods through rolling mechanisms, or start and control mechanisms that automatically feed steel into rollers.
- 7. Manipulate controls and observe dial indicators to monitor, adjust, and regulate speeds of machine mechanisms.
- 8. Set distance points between rolls, guides, meters, and stops, according to specifications.
- 9. Calculate draft space and roll speed for each mill stand to plan rolling sequences and specified dimensions and tempers.
- 10. Install equipment such as guides, guards, gears, cooling equipment, and rolls, using hand tools.
Key Skills Required
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Quality Control Analysis
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Coordination
Knowledge Areas
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic has an AI exposure score of 45%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is projected to decline by 8.3% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 22,500 workers.
What skills are needed for Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
Key skills for Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn?
The median annual wage for Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $48,630, 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 Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
The typical entry-level education for Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic 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 Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic 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
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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).