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How exposed to AI is a Maintenance Workers, Machinery?

Of the 18 tasks O*NET lists for maintenance workers, machinery, 2 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 16 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
LubricatorMachine RepairerMaintainerMaintenance CraftsmanMaintenance ManMaintenance MechanicMaintenance Technician (Maintenance Tech)Maintenance WorkerOilerOverhauler
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
18
tasks rated for this occupation
3%
hold a degree, from a survey of only 17
58k
people do this job in the US
27 of 50
least protected in installation and repair

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

2
  • Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance
  • Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information

Cannot be sped up

16
  • Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems
  • Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs
  • Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work
  • Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists
  • Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications
  • Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment
  • Inventory and requisition machine parts, equipment, and other supplies so that stock can be maintained and replenished
  • Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations
  • Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures
  • Collect and discard worn machine parts and other refuse to maintain machinery and work areas
  • Clean machines and machine parts, using cleaning solvents, cloths, air guns, hoses, vacuums, or other equipment
  • Transport machine parts, tools, equipment, and other material between work areas and storage, using cranes, hoists, or dollies
  • Replace, empty, or replenish machine and equipment containers such as gas tanks or boxes
  • Replace or repair metal, wood, leather, glass, or other lining in machines, or in equipment compartments or containers
  • Remove hardened material from machines or machine parts, using abrasives, power and hand tools, jackhammers, sledgehammers, or other equipment
  • Measure, mix, prepare, and test chemical solutions used to clean or repair machinery and equipment
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.