UK AI Job-Risk Index · SOC 2010 8133
Ranks #194 of 293 for AI exposure (1 = most exposed)
How exposed to AI are routine inspectors and testers?
38/100
AI exposure score (percentile across all 365 occupations DfE scored)
Low#194
of 293 UK occupations (1 = most exposed)
£26,653
median full-time pay (ONS ASHE 2020) · 51,000 employee jobs
Routine inspectors and testers sits in the low exposure band: its abilities overlap with current AI applications more than about 38% 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) -0.45, LLM exposure -0.64 (standardised; 0 is the average occupation). Skill level: Level 2. 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 8133 (30 of 222 shown). If your job title is here, this page uses the right figures for you.
sampler · sniffer · brineller · can tester · die prover · egg tester · gun prover · ndt tester · nut picker · cask tester · coil tester · coke tester · egg candler · file prover · milk tester · nos checker · pump tester · rope tester · tank tester · tea sampler · wire tester · yarn looker · yarn tester · bag examiner · brake tester · bus examiner · cable tester · cask smeller · cigar passer · cloth drawer
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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 £26,653 (ONS ASHE 2020 median, full-time). Switching usually needs retraining; this is a starting point, not advice.
| Occupation | Exposure | Median pay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rail construction and maintenance operatives | 12/100 | £35,333 | +£8,680 |
| Scaffolders, stagers and riggers | 8/100 | £34,176 | +£7,523 |
| Water and sewerage plant operatives | 28/100 | £32,084 | +£5,431 |
| Assemblers (vehicles and metal goods) | 24/100 | £31,697 | +£5,044 |
| Road construction operatives | 5/100 | £30,535 | +£3,882 |
Occupations with similar exposure
- Sales and retail assistants (38/100)
- Farmers (38/100)
- Conservation and environmental associate professionals (39/100)
- Beauticians and related occupations (37/100)
← #193 Conservation and environmental associate professionals · #195 Sales and retail assistants →
FAQ: Routine inspectors and testers and AI
Will AI replace routine inspectors and testers?
The index does not predict job losses. Routine inspectors and testers has an AI exposure score of 38/100 (low band), ranking #194 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?
Routine inspectors and testers is one of 24 occupations in its SOC 2010 sub-major group in the index; 2 of the others are more exposed to AI.
How much do routine inspectors and testers earn?
Median gross annual pay for full-time employees was £26,653 in ONS ASHE 2020 (Table 14), across about 51,000 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 Rail construction and maintenance operatives (12/100, £35,333), Scaffolders, stagers and riggers (8/100, £34,176), Water and sewerage plant operatives (28/100, £32,084).
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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