Operate one or more of a variety of office machines, such as photocopying, photographic, and duplicating machines, or other office machines.
U.S. Workers
24,740
Median Salary
$39,020
10-Year Growth
-15.2%
Annual Openings
2,800
Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
18 of 18 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Read job orders to determine the type of work to be done, the quantities to be produced, and the materials needed.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can reliably read and parse job orders (structured or unstructured), extract required tasks, quantities, and materials, and map them to workflows and resource lists.
Complete records of production, including work volumes and outputs, materials used, and any backlogs.
AI: Fully automatable - Recording production metrics is data collection and logging that can be fully automated with sensors, system integrations, OCR, and AI-driven workflows by 2025.
Compute prices for services and receive payment, or provide supervisors with billing information.
AI: Fully automatable - Computing prices, producing billing information, and handling payments are routine transactional tasks readily automated with software and AI payment/invoicing systems.
Maintain stock of supplies, and requisition any needed items.
AI: Fully automatable - Inventory tracking and automatic requisitioning are routine logistics tasks that AI and integrated inventory systems can fully handle by 2025.
Cut copies apart and write identifying information, such as page numbers or titles, on copies.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated printing and finishing equipment plus OCR/vision systems can cut, collate, and apply page numbers or titles without human intervention.
Move heat units and clamping frames over screen beds to form Braille impressions on pages, raising frames to release individual copies.
AI: Fully automatable - Braille embossing is a mechanical, repeatable process already performed by automated embossers and can be controlled by computerized systems.
Deliver completed work.
AI: Partial - AI can automate digital delivery and coordinate logistics, but physical transport and last‑mile delivery remain only partially automatable and often need human couriers.
Place original copies in feed trays, feed originals into feed rolls, or position originals on tables beneath camera lenses.
AI: Partial - Automation and vision systems can feed originals in controlled setups, but placing and precisely positioning originals and handling exceptions typically still require human dexterity.
Sort, assemble, and proof completed work.
AI: Partial - AI can sort and proofread digital outputs and assist assembly of digital work, but physical sorting/assembly and subtle, context‑sensitive proofreading still need human judgment.
Operate office machines such as high speed business photocopiers, readers, scanners, addressing machines, stencil-cutting machines, microfilm readers or printers, folding and inserting machines, bursters, and binder machines.
AI: Partial - AI can program, queue, and operate many office machines in routine scenarios, but dealing with jams, maintenance, and unexpected physical issues still requires human intervention.
Set up and adjust machines, regulating factors such as speed, ink flow, focus, and number of copies.
AI: Partial - Parameter adjustments can be automated on modern digitally controlled machines, but many setups still require human judgment and manual interventions for complex calibrations.
Load machines with materials such as blank paper or film.
AI: Partial - Physically loading paper or film remains a manual task in most environments, although guided automation and robotics can handle it in some specialized settings.
Monitor machine operation, and make adjustments as necessary to ensure proper operation.
AI: Partial - Monitoring can be largely automated with sensors and AI that detect anomalies, but some corrective adjustments and on‑site interventions still require humans.
Clean machines, perform minor repairs, and report major repair needs.
AI: Partial - Cleaning and minor repairs require physical dexterity and troubleshooting that is only partially automatable, though diagnostics and reporting can be fully automated.
File and store completed documents.
AI: Partial - AI can fully automate digital filing, classification, and storage, but physical filing and handling of paper documents still require humans or specialized robotics.
Operate auxiliary machines such as collators, pad and tablet making machines, staplers, and paper punching, folding, cutting, and perforating machines.
AI: Partial - Operation of auxiliary machines can be automated to an extent where controls are software-driven, but feeding, jams, and setup often need human involvement.
Prepare and process papers for use in scanning, microfilming, and microfiche.
AI: Partial - Scanning and digital processing are highly automatable, but physical preparation of papers (staple removal, sorting, delicate handling) remains partially manual.
Clean and file master copies or plates.
AI: Partial - Cleaning and filing physical master copies or plates require manual handling and care, though tracking, scheduling, and documentation can be automated.