Will drill press operators be replaced by AI?
Updated
Drill press operators score 17 of 100 for AI exposure. 87% of their task time still needs a person. AI speeds up the other 13%.
- 13% AI helps
- 87% Needs a person
Low exposure
Lower than 85% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 17 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can't do any of them end to end yet. It speeds up 2 and leaves 15 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements. AI can read and summarize job orders and drawings quickly. | 55% AI helps |
| Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties. AI can suggest speeds and feeds; operator sets and verifies them. | 45% AI helps |
| Lay out reference lines and machining locations on work, using layout tools, and applying knowledge of shop math and layout techniques. AI can help with shop math, but marking layout is physical. | 22% Needs a person |
| Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems. Sensors flag some faults, but on-floor watching stays human. | 20% Needs a person |
| Operate single- or multiple-spindle drill presses to bore holes so that machining operations can be performed on metal or plastic workpieces. Drill press operation is physical, though CNC can automate some. | 18% Needs a person |
| Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges. Gauge reading of machined parts is physical work with instruments. | 15% Needs a person |
| Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations. Locating edges and holes on physical parts needs hands on work. | 14% Needs a person |
| Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles. Dial indicator alignment is physical setup work at the spindle. | 10% Needs a person |
| Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds. Physically moving machine controls and engaging feeds at the machine. | 8% Needs a person |
| Sharpen cutting tools, using bench grinders. Grinding tool edges at a bench grinder is physical work. | 7% Needs a person |
Show the other 7 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices. Clamping and shimming workpieces is physical work done with hands. | 6% Needs a person |
| Perform minor assembly, such as fastening parts with nuts, bolts, or screws, using power tools or hand tools. Fastening parts with power tools is physical assembly work. | 6% Needs a person |
| Turn valves and direct flow of coolants or cutting oil over cutting areas. Adjusting valves and coolant flow is physical work at machine. | 5% Needs a person |
| Operate tracing attachments to duplicate contours from templates or models. Tracing templates on attachments is physical machine operation. | 5% Needs a person |
| Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches. Swapping worn tools with wrenches is physical work at the machine. | 4% Needs a person |
| Install tools in spindles. Mounting tools in spindles is manual, physical machine work. | 4% Needs a person |
| Lift workpieces onto work tables either manually or with hoists or direct crane operators to lift and position workpieces. Lifting heavy parts with hands or cranes is physical work. | 3% Needs a person |
How drill press operators compare
All occupations (923)
Production (107)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $49,080 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 4,680 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- -9.5% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Verify machined parts with calipers, micrometers, and fixed gauges
- Set and check speeds and feeds in CNC software
- Mark layout lines on workpieces with scribes and height gauges
- Read blueprints and job orders for tooling and operation sequences
- Clamp and shim workpieces with jigs, clamps, and fixtures
- Log job completions and scrap counts in SAP and Excel
Safer roles nearby
3 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about drill press operators and AI
Will AI replace drill press operators?
Partly. About 2 in 10 working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly reading job orders and blueprints and choosing speeds and feeds. Clamping, tool changes, and watching the machine stay with people because they need hands on the metal.
Which drill press tasks is AI taking over?
AI takes over the planning steps first. Studying job orders and blueprints scores 55 on exposure, the highest in this job, because AI can summarize dimensions, sequences, and tooling in seconds. Selecting cutting speeds and feed rates scores 45, since AI can suggest values that the operator still sets and checks at the machine.
Which drill press tasks stay human?
Most of the job stays human, with tasks that stay human making up 87% of task weight. Positioning and securing workpieces scores 6 on exposure because clamping, bolting, and shimming are done manually. Changing worn cutting tools with wrenches scores 4 because it is physical work at the machine.
How can drill press operators stay valuable?
Take on the setup, tool, and gauge checks that need hands on the machine. Verify CNC speeds and feeds before each run, and keep job records accurate in SAP and Excel. Build skill in measuring tolerances with calipers and micrometers, since checking finished parts is the work that keeps a person accountable for quality.
Related jobs
Next steps for drill press operators
Check which roles in your team AI can take on
We map your team's tasks, show what AI can do today and build the automations that pay back first.
Related topics
- Jobs AI can't replaceCement masons score lowest, at 8.
- Jobs most at risk from AIProofreaders score highest, at 76.
- High-paying jobs with low AI exposureRadiologists earn a median $420,860 and score 46.
- Entry-level jobs with low AI exposureCement masons need little prior training and score 8.
- Jobs AI speeds up the mostFor natural sciences managers, AI speeds up 96% of task time.
- AI and jobs in Malta15 iGaming roles graded task by task.
- Skills that keep work humanThe skills to build in the jobs AI changes least.
- Jobs A to ZEvery job we publish, by first letter.
- AI exposure by industryAverage scores for 22 occupation groups.
- Write a CV screening software can readHow applicant tracking systems read a CV, and what to change.
- AI for businessesThe tasks to automate first in each team and industry.
- How we score AI exposureThe grading, the weights and every source.