Somewhat Resilient
Last Update: 10/7/2026
AI Resilience Score for Production Helpers:
41.8%
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%).
Low
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.
AI Resilience Report forHelpers--Production Workers
$39,070 median salary•20,900 annual openings•SOC Code: 51-9198.00
Helpers--Production Workers are somewhat less resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 8 sources.
This career sits in the "Somewhat Resilient" category because automation is genuinely changing the day-to-day work, especially for tasks like inspecting products and moving materials, where AI cameras and robots are already stepping in. At the same time, fully replacing human helpers across the board is still a work in progress, since real factory floors are messy, unpredictable, and full of situations that require judgment, dexterity, and teamwork that robots still struggle with.
Learn more about how you can thrive in this position
This role is somewhat resilient
This career sits in the "Somewhat Resilient" category because automation is genuinely changing the day-to-day work, especially for tasks like inspecting products and moving materials, where AI cameras and robots are already stepping in. At the same time, fully replacing human helpers across the board is still a work in progress, since real factory floors are messy, unpredictable, and full of situations that require judgment, dexterity, and teamwork that robots still struggle with.
Read full analysisAnalysis of current AI resilience
Production Helpers
Updated quarterly
How can Production Helpers prepare for AI?
Latest AI news for Production Helpers
These articles highlight key insights for "Helpers--Production Workers" as AI becomes integral in various industries. For instance, OpenAI's DeployCo aims to assist businesses in integrating AI, suggesting that workers will need to adapt to new tools that improve efficiency. Additionally, the American Progress article emphasizes the importance of unions advocating for worker rights in the face of AI changes, ensuring that technology enhances job roles rather than diminishes them. Embracing AI resilience will be crucial in navigating this evolving landscape and securing better opportunities in the workforce.
OpenAI launches the OpenAI Deployment Company to help businesses build around intelligence
openai.com • 5/11/2026
OpenAI launches DeployCo, a new enterprise deployment company built to help organizations bring frontier AI into production and turn it into...
How AI may reshape career pathways to better jobs
www.brookings.edu • 4/2/2026
Amid much concern about the future of college graduates in the era of AI, workers without four-year degrees face major challenges as well:...
5 ways we’re transforming artificial intelligence into impact
www.merck.com • 1/9/2026
We're applying AI across our company to help us work smarter and faster so we can reach patients sooner.
Unions Give Workers a Voice Over How AI Affects Their Jobs
www.americanprogress.org • 5/16/2024
Collective bargaining is a powerful tool workers can use to ensure artificial intelligence and algorithmic technology improve their jobs...
How generative AI can boost highly skilled workers’ productivity
mitsloan.mit.edu • 10/19/2023
A new study on the impact of generative AI on highly skilled workers finds that when artificial intelligence is used within the boundary of...
More Career Info
Career: Helpers--Production Workers
They assist in factories by moving materials, cleaning work areas, and helping make products to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Parent Careers
Similar Careers
Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$39,070
Jobs (2025)
167,400
Growth (2025-35)
-8.2%
Annual Openings
20,900
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience
None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025-2035
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill, such as supplying or holding materials or tools, or cleaning work areas and equipment.
2
Perform minor repairs to machines, such as replacing damaged or worn parts.
3
Change machine gears, using wrenches.
4
Attach slings, ropes, or cables to objects such as pipes, hoses, or bundles.
5
Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.
6
Thread ends of items such as thread, cloth, and lace through needles and rollers, and around take-up tubes.
7
Clean and lubricate equipment.
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.
