UK AI Job-Risk Index · SOC 2010 5224

Ranks #185 of 293 for AI exposure (1 = most exposed)

How exposed to AI are precision instrument makers and repairers?

42/100

AI exposure score (percentile across all 365 occupations DfE scored)

Medium

#185

of 293 UK occupations (1 = most exposed)

£28,457

median full-time pay (ONS ASHE 2020) · 10,000 employee jobs

Precision instrument makers and repairers sits in the medium exposure band: its abilities overlap with current AI applications more than about 42% of the 365 UK occupations the Department for Education scored. Lower exposure usually means more of the work depends on physical, practical or in-person abilities that current AI applications do not cover well. It does not mean the job will be untouched by technology.

Underlying scores: AIOE (all AI) -0.35, LLM exposure -0.65 (standardised; 0 is the average occupation). Skill level: Level 3. Pay and job counts are 2020 figures, so use them to compare occupations rather than as current salaries.

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Job titles in this occupation

Titles the ONS SOC 2010 coding index places in unit group 5224 (30 of 77 shown). If your job title is here, this page uses the right figures for you.

timer · boxer-in · dial maker · horologist · meter hand · watchmaker · clock maker · meter maker · watch maker · camera maker · clock fitter · gauge fitter · hand divider · meter fitter · scale fitter · camera fitter · clock cleaner · compass maker · meter cleaner · watch cleaner · wheel mounter · clock mechanic · clock repairer · meter engineer · meter repairer · movement maker · optical fitter · scale repairer · watch repairer · barometer maker

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Lower-risk related jobs

Occupations in the same SOC 2010 sub-major group with a lower AI exposure score, highest-paid first. Pay difference is against £28,457 (ONS ASHE 2020 median, full-time). Switching usually needs retraining; this is a starting point, not advice.

OccupationExposureMedian payDifference
Air-conditioning and refrigeration engineers31/100£35,663+£7,206
Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c.27/100£34,941+£6,484
Telecommunications engineers41/100£34,420+£5,963
Electricians and electrical fitters33/100£33,657+£5,200
Metal working production and maintenance fitters14/100£32,934+£4,477

Compare these side by side →

Occupations with similar exposure

← #184 Senior police officers · #186 Telecommunications engineers →

FAQ: Precision instrument makers and repairers and AI

Will AI replace precision instrument makers and repairers?

The index does not predict job losses. Precision instrument makers and repairers has an AI exposure score of 42/100 (medium band), ranking #185 of 293 UK occupations, where 1 is the most exposed. Lower exposure means more of the work relies on abilities current AI applications cover less well.

How does this compare with similar jobs?

Precision instrument makers and repairers is one of 13 occupations in its SOC 2010 sub-major group in the index; 1 of the others is more exposed to AI.

How much do precision instrument makers and repairers earn?

Median gross annual pay for full-time employees was £28,457 in ONS ASHE 2020 (Table 14), across about 10,000 employee jobs. These are 2020 figures, so use them to compare jobs rather than as current salaries.

Which related jobs are less exposed to AI?

In the same sub-major group, lower-exposure occupations include Air-conditioning and refrigeration engineers (31/100, £35,663), Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c. (27/100, £34,941), Telecommunications engineers (41/100, £34,420).

Where does this data come from?

AI exposure uses Department for Education (2023) AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) scores; pay and job counts come from ONS ASHE 2020. Job titles come from the ONS SOC 2010 coding index.

Source: Department for Education (2023), The impact of AI on UK jobs and training (AIOE scores); ONS ASHE 2020 Table 14; job titles from the ONS SOC 2010 coding index (v7). Exposure is not a prediction of job loss. Methodology · Embed this data

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