Mostly Resilient
Last Update: 6/19/2026
AI Resilience Score for First-Line Supervisors:
52.5%
Median Score
Meaningful human contribution
Measures the parts of the occupation that still require a human touch. This score averages data from up to four AI exposure datasets, focusing on the role’s resilience against automation.
Med
Long-term employer demand
Predicts the health of the job market for this role through 2034. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it balances projected annual job openings (60%) with overall employment growth (40%).
Med
Sustained economic opportunity
Measures future earning potential and career flexibility. This score is a blend of total projected labor income (67%) and the role’s inherent ability to adapt to economic and technological shifts (33%).
Med
This reflects the reliability of your score based on the number of data sources available for this career and how closely those sources agree on the outlook. A higher confidence means more consistent evidence from labor experts and AI models.
There are a reasonable number of sources for this result, but there is some disagreement between them.
Contributing sources
AI Resilience Report forFirst-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand
$63,940 median salary•1,100 annual openings•SOC Code: 53-1042.00
First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand are somewhat more resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 5 sources.
This career earns a "Mostly Resilient" label because AI is taking over the routine, paperwork-heavy parts of the job (like scheduling and recordkeeping) while leaving the most important work, including hands-on safety decisions, team leadership, and real-time problem-solving, firmly in human hands. Warehouses are definitely getting more automated, with robots becoming a bigger part of the picture by 2030, but that actually creates a new need for supervisors who can manage both people and machines at the same time.
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More career infoAnalysisChatNewsMoreThis role is mostly resilient
This career earns a "Mostly Resilient" label because AI is taking over the routine, paperwork-heavy parts of the job (like scheduling and recordkeeping) while leaving the most important work, including hands-on safety decisions, team leadership, and real-time problem-solving, firmly in human hands. Warehouses are definitely getting more automated, with robots becoming a bigger part of the picture by 2030, but that actually creates a new need for supervisors who can manage both people and machines at the same time.
Read full analysisLearn more about how you can thrive in this position
View analysisChat with CoachLatest newsMore career infoAnalysisChatNewsMoreAnalysis of Current AI Resilience
First-Line Supervisors
Updated Quarterly
How is AI changing First-Line Supervisors jobs?
If you're a young person watching robots roll into Amazon and Walmart warehouses, it's natural to wonder what happens to the people who supervise those workers. The good news: most of what these supervisors do today is being augmented — made easier — rather than fully replaced. AI is showing up first in the routine, paperwork-heavy parts of the job.
The National Safety Council reports that AI is increasingly embedded across safety technologies, powering computer vision, predictive risk modeling and AI assistants that can identify patterns and support proactive decision-making — exactly the kind of help a supervisor uses when inspecting equipment or monitoring safety procedures. On the frontline floor, the World Economic Forum describes how AI is being used to handle scheduling, training, and coaching for warehouse and logistics workers [1], which lightens a supervisor's recordkeeping and shift-planning load. Meanwhile, Gartner predicts that by 2030, 50% of new warehouses in developed markets will be designed as "robot-centric" facilities [2] — meaning supervisors of the future will increasingly coordinate fleets of robots alongside people.
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for First-Line Supervisors?
Adoption is moving fast because the business case is strong. A 2026 MHI and Deloitte survey of supply chain leaders found that 48% now consider AI's disruptive impact significant or greater — up 25 percentage points in just one year — and 56% of organizations plan to increase supply chain innovation spending [3]. Persistent labor shortages are another big driver pushing companies toward automation.
But there are real brakes too. Wolters Kluwer's 2026 EHS readiness study, conducted with the National Safety Council, surveyed 1,053 safety and operations professionals and found leaders warning that "guardrails" are needed as AI gets embedded in safety programs [4]. And here's the hopeful part: BCG's 2026 analysis argues that task automation doesn't equal job loss — most roles will remain but will change substantially [5].
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics still projects 4% growth for hand laborers and material movers from 2024 to 2034 [6], and supervisors who can coach people, troubleshoot equipment in person, and judge tricky safety situations will remain essential. The skills AI can't easily copy — calm leadership, hands-on problem-solving, and earning a team's trust — are exactly what make a great supervisor.
Sources
Will AI replace First-Line Supervisors?
No. We don't think AI will replace First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand, though we do expect the job to change.
Our 52.5% AI Resilience Score puts this role in "Mostly Resilient" territory, and that tracks with what's actually happening on the ground. AI is moving into the routine parts of the job first: scheduling, shift planning, safety monitoring, and coaching tools are already being handled by AI systems in warehouses and logistics facilities [1]. By 2030, half of new warehouses in developed markets are expected to be designed as robot-centric facilities [2], so supervisors will increasingly manage both people and machines.
What stays human is the core of the job. Earning a team's trust, making judgment calls in messy real-world situations, and handling the kind of safety decisions that need someone physically present are not things AI can easily replicate. BCG's analysis makes the point clearly: task automation doesn't equal job loss, most roles will remain but will change substantially [5].
The economic picture is moderate but stable. The BLS projects 4% growth for hand laborers and material movers through 2034 [6], and supervisors who build strong people skills alongside comfort with new technology will be well positioned as this role keeps evolving.
Sources
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Latest AI news for First-Line Supervisors
These articles offer valuable insights for students pursuing careers as First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers. As AI reshapes the labor market, understanding its impact is crucial. For instance, the CBS News article highlights which roles are at risk, informing supervisors about workforce changes. Meanwhile, the Washington Post discusses how AI can enhance productivity, suggesting supervisors can leverage technology to improve operations. Staying informed will help students build AI resilience, ensuring they adapt and thrive in an evolving workplace.
How Will AI Impact the Workplace? What ...
www.ncda.org • 6/20/2026
Most career practitioners, industry experts, and labor economists believe Artificial. Intelligence (AI) will have a significant impact on the workforce, ... Read more
Potential Labor Market Impacts of Artificial Intelligence
bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov • 6/20/2026
It took a detailed look at the key features of AI technology, and it related those features to core economic concepts that might help predict future impacts. Read more
Do Job Postings Show Early Labor-Market Effects of AI?
libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org • 6/20/2026
May 14, 2026 — Research on the employment impact of AI has found a larger decline in the number of younger workers in occupations with high AI exposure after ... Read more
New study sheds light on what kinds of workers are losing jobs to AI
www.cbsnews.com • 8/28/2025
Stanford University research offers insights for students and young workers as artificial intelligence begins to reshape the labor market.
Opinion | How AI is impacting 700 professions — and might impact yours
www.washingtonpost.com • 7/28/2025
Will AI help you work or replace you? Check yourself.
More Career Info
Career: First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand
They oversee workers who move materials, making sure tasks are done safely and efficiently while solving any problems that come up.
Parent Careers
Similar Careers
Employment & Wage Data
* Data estimated from parent occupation
Median Wage
$63,940
Jobs (2024)
10,300
Growth (2024-34)
+4.9%
Annual Openings
1,100
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience
Less than 5 years
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2024-2034
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Perform the same work duties as those supervised or perform more difficult or skilled tasks or assist in their performance.
2
Recommend or initiate personnel actions, such as promotions, transfers, or disciplinary measures.
3
Inspect job sites to determine the extent of maintenance or repairs needed.
4
Schedule times of shipment and modes of transportation for materials.
5
Review work throughout the work process and at completion to ensure that it has been performed properly.
6
Assess training needs of staff and arrange for or provide appropriate instruction.
7
Participate in the hiring process by reviewing credentials, conducting interviews, or making hiring decisions or recommendations.
Tasks are ranked by their AI resilience, with the most resilient tasks shown first. Core tasks are essential functions of this occupation, while supplemental tasks provide additional context.
