spring maker
Role lens
Do you enjoy precision work and the satisfaction of creating essential components? As a spring maker, you’ll be at the heart of manufacturing, producing the springs that power countless products and systems we rely on every day.
Spring makers are skilled professionals who manufacture a wide variety of springs, including leaf, coil, torsion, clock, tension, and extension springs. The role involves operating specialized machinery and equipment to shape metal into these crucial components, ensuring they meet precise specifications and quality standards. This work demands attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy, as springs are integral parts of many devices and structures.
- • Operating machinery to form and shape metal into different spring types.
- • Inspecting springs for defects and ensuring they meet required specifications.
- • Setting up and adjusting equipment for various spring designs and materials.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Stationary plant and machine operators — 259 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany and 5 more.
Longest-running shortage: Denmark, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Could spring maker fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Independence?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Initiative?
Future Outlook for spring maker
The outlook for spring maker reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could spring maker change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could spring maker change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- perform test run
- troubleshoot
- ensure equipment availability
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- supply machine with appropriate tools
- remove inadequate workpieces
- remove processed workpiece
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Advanced Manufacturing
A typical day as a spring maker
09 09:00 · Morning ensure equipment availability
10 10:30 · Mid-morning monitor automated machines
12 12:00 · Midday operate precision measuring equipment
14 14:00 · Afternoon coil metal
15 15:30 · Late afternoon tend spring making machine
17 17:00 · Wrap-up monitor moving workpiece in a machine
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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ferrous metal processing
Various processing methods on iron and iron-containing alloys such as steel, stainless steel and pig iron.
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manufacture of small metal parts
The manufacture of metal cable, plaited bands and other articles of that type, uninsulated or insulated cable not capable of being used as a conductor of electricity, coated or cored wire as well as barbed wire, wire fencing, grill, netting, cloth etc. Manufacture of coated electrodes for electric arc-welding, nails and pins, chain and springs (except watch springs), as well as leaves for springs.
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manufacturing of daily use goods
The manufacturing of items used in the daily life, personal use or daily practice. These products include protective safety equipment, drawing equipment, stamps, umbrellas, cigarette lighters, baskets, candles, and many other miscellaneous articles.
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types of metal manufacturing processes
Metal processes linked to the different types of metal, such as casting processes, heat treatment processes, repair processes and other metal manufacturing processes.
- quality standards
- types of metal
- types of spring
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supply machine with appropriate tools
Supply the machine with the necessary tools and items for a particular production purpose. Monitor the stock and replenish when needed.
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remove processed workpiece
Remove individual workpieces after processing, from the manufacturing machine or the machine tool. In case of a conveyor belt this involves quick, continuous movement.
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tend spring making machine
Tend a metalworking machine designed to produce metal springs, through either hot winding or cold winding processes, monitor and operate it according to regulations.
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coil metal
Coil, usually steel, metal rings by winding them continuously and regularly spaced atop of one another, creating metal springs.
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monitor automated machines
Continuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.
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supply machine
Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.
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remove inadequate workpieces
Evaluate which deficient processed workpieces do not meet the set-up standard and should be removed and sort the waste according to regulations.
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troubleshoot
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
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operate precision measuring equipment
Measure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, and a measuring gauge.
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monitor moving workpiece in a machine
Monitor the processing of a workpiece in motion, such as a piece of metal or wood moved linearly over a static manufacturing machine.
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perform test run
Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
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Where does spring maker fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of training or education is typically required to become a spring maker?
- While a formal degree isn't always required, apprenticeships and vocational training programs focused on machining, metalworking, or manufacturing are highly beneficial. On-the-job training is also common, where you'll learn specific techniques and equipment operation from experienced professionals.
- What are some of the challenges I might face as a spring maker?
- Precision is paramount. Maintaining accuracy and consistency in spring production can be demanding. You’ll also need to be comfortable working with machinery and following safety protocols to prevent injuries. Troubleshooting equipment malfunctions and adapting to changing production requirements are also common challenges.
- Are there opportunities for advancement within the spring making field?
- Yes, with experience and further training, spring makers can advance to roles such as lead operator, quality control inspector, or even equipment maintenance technician. Some may also specialize in particular spring types or manufacturing processes.
- Spring Maker — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 9 of the 13 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Denmark and 5 more. Denmark has reported one for 4 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Spring Maker — what does it pay in the United States?
- $49,240 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $35,630 to $69,210. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.