AI exposure by occupation, O*NET 51-9162.00
Will AI replace Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers?
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers: AI can already handle 3 of 16 tasks; most of the work is hands-on, and the part AI can address mostly needs a standard-tier model.
Have a team in this role?
Get your free 10-role sample: send this role and up to nine others, and a founder sends a board-pack PDF within two business days.
Every task, scored
The 16 tasks O*NET 30.3 lists for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers, from most to least exposed. 3 reach 60 or more, the level at which AI already handles a task.
| Task | AI exposure | Evidence | Model tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sort shop orders into groups to maximize materials utilization and minimize machine setup time. | Estimated | Standard | |
| Analyze job orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications, printed circuit board pattern films, and design data to calculate dimensions, tool selection, machine speeds, and feed rates. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Compare encoded tapes or computer printouts with original part specifications and blueprints to verify accuracy of instructions. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Enter coordinates of hole locations into program memories by depressing pedals or buttons of programmers. | Estimated | Standard | |
| Prepare geometric layouts from graphic displays, using computer-assisted drafting software or drafting instruments and graph paper. | Observed | Standard | |
| Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on machines. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Determine the sequence of machine operations, and select the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes. | Estimated | No tier | |
| Observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations to ensure that programs and machinery will function properly and produce items that meet specifications. | Estimated | No tier | |
| Write programs in the language of a machine's controller and store programs on media, such as punch tapes, magnetic tapes, or disks. | Estimated | No tier | |
| Determine reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations, and compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures. | Estimated | No tier | |
| Enter computer commands to store or retrieve parts patterns, graphic displays, or programs that transfer data to other media. | Estimated | No tier | |
| Revise programs or tapes to eliminate errors, and retest programs to check that problems have been solved. | Estimated | No tier | |
| Modify existing programs to enhance efficiency. | Estimated | No tier | |
| Order tooling for jobs. | Estimated | No tier | |
| Write instruction sheets and cutter lists for a machine's controller to guide setup and encode numerical control tapes. | Estimated | No tier | |
| Align and secure pattern film on reference tables of optical programmers, and observe enlarger scope views of printed circuit boards. | Estimated | No tier |
Observed: scored from AI use recorded in the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026 release), 1 of 16 tasks. Estimated: scored from the task's O*NET 30.3 work activity, 15 of 16. Importance is O*NET's 1 to 5 rating of how central the task is. Model tier is the lowest tier that can do the task under the published rubric; "No tier" marks hands-on work.
The model tier this role needs
A standard-tier model or lower covers 37% of the role's importance-weighted task work. 37% of the work is something AI can address at some tier, and 63% is hands-on.
Efficient, standard and frontier tiers come from the JobRoute model tier reference. The recommended tier is the lowest one that covers 80% of the work AI can address. How the method works.
Wages, employment and outlook
- US employment
- 28,500
- Median annual wage
- $68,120
- Middle half of earners
- $58,270 to $81,890
- Projected change, 2024 to 2034
- +12.8%
Employment and wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, national. Projection: BLS Employment Projections 2024 to 2034.
Adjacent roles
The occupations that reuse the most of this role's skills, with the usual time to move. These are the first places to look when you plan to redeploy or retrain people in this role.
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators 85% skill overlap, about 5 months to move Exposure20
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 67% skill overlap, about 12 months to move Exposure17
- Computer Programmers 67% skill overlap, about 12 months to move Exposure64
- Machinists 66% skill overlap, about 12 months to move Exposure27
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners 65% skill overlap, about 12 months to move Exposure21
Skill overlap and transition time from the JobRoute role adjacency graph on O*NET 30.3 skills.
Questions about Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers and AI
Will AI replace Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers?
AI already handles 3 of the 16 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, at a task exposure of 60 or more, and the role's importance-weighted exposure is 32 out of 100. JobRoute scores tasks, not whole jobs, so the score shows how much of the work changes rather than whether the job disappears. BLS projects employment to change by +12.8% from 2024 to 2034.
What is the AI exposure of Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers?
32 out of 100 on JobRoute's task exposure measure, the importance-weighted average of the role's O*NET task scores. Higher means more of the work is AI-doable today. 1 of the 16 task scores are observed in the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026 release), and the other 15 are estimated from each task's O*NET work activity.
Which Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers tasks can AI already do?
The tasks with the highest exposure are: Sort shop orders into groups to maximize materials utilization and minimize machine setup time; Analyze job orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications, printed circuit board pattern films, and design data to calculate dimensions, tool selection, machine speeds, and feed rates; Compare encoded tapes or computer printouts with original part specifications and blueprints to verify accuracy of instructions. They are the tasks that reach 60 or more.
What AI model tier does this role need?
A standard-tier model or lower covers 37% of the role's importance-weighted task work, and 63% is hands-on work that no model tier covers. JobRoute assigns each task the lowest tier that can do it under a published rubric and recommends the lowest tier that covers 80% of the work AI can address.
How many people work as Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers, and what do they earn?
28,500 people in the United States, with a median annual wage of $68,120 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025). BLS Employment Projections expect a change of +12.8% from 2024 to 2034.
How to cite
Data version 2026-11-02, JobRoute method v1.0.0. Download all occupations or this occupation as JSON. Methodology.
JobRoute (2026). AI exposure: Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers. Data version 2026-11-02, method v1.0.0. Built on O*NET 30.3, BLS OEWS May 2025 and the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026). CC BY 4.0. https://www.jobroute.ai/jobs/computer-numerically-controlled-tool-programmers
Have a team in this role?
Get your free 10-role sample. Send this role and up to nine others, with no employee data, and a founder sends a PDF in board-pack format within two business days.
A founder replies within one business day.