Somewhat Resilient
Last Update: 6/19/2026
AI Resilience Score for Freight/Material Movers:
49.1%
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%).
High
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.
Contributing sources
AI Resilience Report forLaborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
$38,940 median salary•384,300 annual openings•SOC Code: 53-7062.00
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand are somewhat less resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 6 sources.
This career sits in "Somewhat Resilient" territory because automation is genuinely changing the work, but not eliminating it. Robots are taking over the most repetitive tasks like labeling, sorting, and basic retrieval, which means the straightforward lifting and moving jobs will shrink over time.
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This career sits in "Somewhat Resilient" territory because automation is genuinely changing the work, but not eliminating it. Robots are taking over the most repetitive tasks like labeling, sorting, and basic retrieval, which means the straightforward lifting and moving jobs will shrink over time.
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View analysisChat with CoachLatest newsMore career infoAnalysisChatNewsMoreAnalysis of Current AI Resilience
Freight/Material Movers
Updated Quarterly
How is AI changing Freight/Material Movers jobs?
If you've ever ordered something online and gotten it the next day, you've seen warehouse automation in action. Right now, AI is mostly augmenting hand laborers and material movers rather than fully replacing them. According to Modern Materials Handling's 2026 Automation Study [1], the most-automated task today is labeling (24%), followed by reporting (18%) and packaging (13%), while picking is only 12% fully automated and retrieval just 3% — meaning the physical, judgment-heavy parts of the job still rely heavily on people.
The newest tools include autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), goods-to-person shuttles, and AI-powered piece-picking arms that use machine vision to grab items from bins; Global Trade Magazine reports [2] these systems can boost order fulfillment speeds by 300% and cut labor costs up to 30%. Staffing firm Randstad notes [3] that entry-level workers increasingly oversee robotic workflows, validate outputs, and step in when something looks off — work that's "less about repetition and more about judgment."
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for Freight/Material Movers?
Adoption is accelerating but uneven. The 2026 MHI Annual Industry Report [4] found 41% of supply chain companies are now using AI (up from 30% a year earlier), and 56% are increasing tech and automation spending — driven by labor shortages, e-commerce volume, and pressure to cut costs. The most dramatic example: Fortune reported [5] on leaked Amazon documents suggesting the company could replace up to half a million warehouse jobs with robots over the next decade.
Still, several brakes are slowing things down. Robots remain expensive, struggle with oddly shaped or fragile items, and many older warehouses aren't designed for them. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics [6] still projects 4% job growth for hand laborers and material movers through 2034, with about 1 million openings every year — many from retirements.
The honest takeaway: routine lifting and sorting will keep getting automated, but workers who learn to troubleshoot robots, run warehouse software, and handle exceptions will stay in demand.
Sources
Will AI replace Freight/Material Movers?
Not entirely. We think AI will take over some tasks, but not the whole job.
Our 49.1% AI Resilience Score reflects a real tension: automation is moving fast in warehouses, but the full job is harder to replace than it looks. Right now, the most-automated task in warehouses is labeling at 24%, while physical picking is only 12% automated and retrieval just 3% [1]. Robots are getting better, but they still struggle with oddly shaped items, older facilities, and anything that requires quick judgment calls.
What stays human is exactly that judgment. Workers are increasingly the ones overseeing robotic workflows, catching errors, and stepping in when something goes wrong [3]. That shift from repetition to oversight is real, and it matters. Yes, Amazon has reportedly explored replacing up to half a million warehouse jobs with robots over the next decade [5], and 41% of supply chain companies are already using AI [4]. Those numbers are serious.
Still, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4% job growth through 2034, with roughly 1 million openings every year [6]. Retirements and e-commerce volume keep demand alive. Workers who learn to troubleshoot robots and run warehouse software will be the ones who benefit most from that demand.
Sources
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Latest AI news for Freight/Material Movers
These articles highlight how AI is transforming careers for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand. For instance, the Stanford study reveals that manual, repetitive tasks are at a higher risk of automation, underscoring the need for adaptability. Meanwhile, the Element Logic piece points out that AI can optimize logistics tasks, enhancing efficiency and creating new roles focused on oversight and customer interaction. Students should focus on developing skills that complement AI, ensuring they remain resilient in a changing job landscape.
The True Role of AI in Logistics
www.elementlogic.net • 6/20/2026
From automating inventory management to optimizing transportation routes and improving customer service, AI is enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and scalability. 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.
Which Jobs Face the Highest Risk of Automation, and Which Ones Are Likely Safe?
www.digitalinformationworld.com • 7/20/2025
Manual, repetitive jobs with low judgment risk full automation; AI-resistant roles rely on empathy and complexity.
Adoption of generative AI will have different effects across jobs in the U.S. logistics workforce
equitablegrowth.org • 7/10/2025
Generative artificial intelligence promises to profoundly reshape labor markets, much like previous automation waves did, but with clear...
These 5 job industries are most at risk of automation. Here's what Arizona workers must do
www.azcentral.com • 4/29/2025
Latino workers in Arizona are more likely than any other racial or ethnic group to lose their jobs to automation, according to a new study.
More Career Info
Career: Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
They move and organize goods in warehouses or stores, making sure items are in the right place for shipping or stocking.
Parent Careers
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Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$38,940
Jobs (2024)
2,988,900
Growth (2024-34)
+1.5%
Annual Openings
384,300
Education
No formal educational credential
Experience
None
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
Rig or dismantle props or equipment, such as frames, scaffolding, platforms, or backdrops, using hand tools.
2
Adjust controls to guide, position, or move equipment, such as cranes, booms, or cameras.
3
Stack cargo in locations such as transit sheds or in holds of ships as directed, using pallets or cargo boards.
4
Maintain equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected.
5
Adjust or replace equipment parts, such as rollers, belts, plugs, or caps, using hand tools.
6
Carry out general yard duties, such as performing shunting on railway lines.
7
Direct spouts and position receptacles, such as bins, carts, or containers so they can be loaded.
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.
