Production · SOC 51-9031
Hand cutting and trimming is manual and tactile — limited AI leverage given the physical dexterity and material handling this work demands.
Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
Timeline: Robotic trimming is viable for high-volume uniform products, but the irregular geometries and varied materials in much of this work will keep hand cutters employed in niche and custom production past 2030.
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$46,060 median pay
$45,130 median pay
$48,630 median pay
$36,000 median pay
$51,850 median pay
AI job-risk card
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand is resilient on AIFear. Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Cutters and Trimmers, Hand is 24/100 (Resilient). Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
24 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Marking identification and grade data on finished products. Harder to automate: Trimming excess material and threads by hand with precision, Operating table-mounted cutters for dimensional work, Stacking and loading cut items for downstream processing, Adapting cuts to irregular or variable raw materials.
Lean into Hand tool proficiency, Material handling and staging, Quality inspection basics, Production floor safety. Consider roles such as Production quality inspector or Cutting machine operator or Assembly line team lead.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.