Drilling Machine Operators
Official O*NET title: Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (51-4032.00)
Also called: bore mill operator, cnc drilling operator, cnc machinist, drill operator, drill press operator
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing drilling machine operators work
1 of 16 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Green (little AI use yet) — 6%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Establish zero reference points on workpieces (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Lift workpieces onto work tables either manually or with hoists or direct crane operators to lift and position workpieces (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Turn valves and direct flow of coolants or cutting oil over cutting areas (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Install tools in spindles (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Perform minor assembly (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Operate single- or multiple-spindle drill presses to bore holes so that machining operations can be performed on metal or plastic workpieces (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Lay out reference lines and machining locations on work, using layout tools, and applying knowledge of shop math and layout techniques (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Sharpen cutting tools, using bench grinders (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Operate tracing attachments to duplicate contours from templates or models — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and drilling machine operators
Will AI replace drilling machine operators?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 1 of the 16 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Green rating (little AI use yet). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 16 of the 17 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which drilling machine operator tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
Which drilling machine operator tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments; move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds; verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 32% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a drilling machine operator start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Drilling Machine Operators ranks #530 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #29 of 35 in Production & Plant. It’s in our top 50 jobs AI is least likely to replace.
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