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Metal furniture machine operator

Also called metal furniture maker, metal furniture finisher, metal furniture assembler

Metal furniture machine operators use machines and power tools to cut, shape and join metal pieces in order to produce metal furniture ranging from office furnishings to outdoors fittings. They use different types of metal such as aluminium, iron and stainless steel, and different types of processes such as metal forming and casting. They polish, apply protective layers and, in some cases, decorative finishes to the metal pieces. They assemble and join the elements to obtain the final product.

Will there be jobs?Average prospects30 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.AssemblersWhat does it pay?Below averageFrom about €1,000 (Bulgaria) to €5,200 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · AssemblersWhat do I need to study?Upper secondary or vocational7 in 10 finished upper secondary or vocational training. 6 in 10 train through vocational routes.AssemblersWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Assemblers not elsewhere classified · ILO

What you'd do

Assemblers not elsewhere classified · ILO
  • Assembling component parts and positioning, aligning and fastening units to assemblies, subassemblies or frames using hand or power tools, soldering and micro-welding equipment
  • Reviewing work orders, specifications, diagrams and drawings to determine materials needed and assembly instructions
  • Recording production and operational data on specified forms
  • Inspecting and testing components and completed assemblies
  • Rejecting faulty products
Assemble metal partsCut metal productsHeat metalsFabricate metal partsApply a protective layer+ 9 more essential skills

Will there be jobs?

Average prospects

A typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as assemblers in the EU
1.55m1.68m1.81m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
105,000 new jobs 407,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Assemblers30
All jobs29
Right now
6 of 27 countries report a shortage of assemblers not elsewhere classified, 4 a surplus.
Assemblers not elsewhere classified · EURES

What does it pay?

Below average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €5,200 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among plant and machine operators, and assemblers in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Plant and machine operators, and assemblers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Upper secondary or vocational

Upper secondary or vocational training in mechanics and metal trades is the usual route.

Highest qualification of assemblers (EU, 2025)
Degree 9%Vocational 57%General secondary 10%Basic schooling 24%
Fields that teach it
Mechanics and metal trades · Wholesale and retail sales
Vocational route, EU
6 in 10 trainees in this field

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.32 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 5 tasks
Recording production and operational data on specified forms0.59
Rejecting faulty products0.32
Reviewing work orders, specifications, diagrams and drawings to determine materials needed and assembly instructions0.28
Inspecting and testing components and completed assemblies0.27
Assembling component parts and positioning, aligning and fastening units to assemblies, subassemblies or frames using hand or power tools, soldering and micro-welding equipment0.14

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for assemblers not elsewhere classified. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).