Not Very Resilient
Last Update: 6/19/2026
AI Resilience Score for Machine Feeders & Offbearers:
23.2%
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%).
Low
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 forMachine Feeders and Offbearers
$39,700 median salary•4,700 annual openings•SOC Code: 53-7063.00
Machine Feeders and Offbearers are less resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 5 sources.
Machine feeders and offbearers are labeled "Not Very Resilient" because the core tasks of loading, unloading, inspecting, and marking parts are exactly the kind of repetitive, predictable work that robots and AI are best at replacing. Adoption is accelerating fast, with advanced technology use in manufacturing expected to jump from 26% to 68% over just five years, and companies are increasingly turning to automation because workers are harder to retain than ever before.
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Machine feeders and offbearers are labeled "Not Very Resilient" because the core tasks of loading, unloading, inspecting, and marking parts are exactly the kind of repetitive, predictable work that robots and AI are best at replacing. Adoption is accelerating fast, with advanced technology use in manufacturing expected to jump from 26% to 68% over just five years, and companies are increasingly turning to automation because workers are harder to retain than ever before.
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Machine Feeders & Offbearers
Updated Quarterly
How is AI changing Machine Feeders & Offbearers jobs?
Machine feeder and offbearer work — loading, unloading, fastening, inspecting, and marking — is exactly the kind of repetitive, predictable task that today's robots and AI handle well. According to one industry blog post, CNC and press tending, loading/unloading, simple pick-and-place, packaging steps, and secondary ops are being automated in 2026 because these tasks are stable, easy to standardize, and ideal for cobots and compact cells. AI is also augmenting the inspection part of the job: the Association of Equipment Manufacturers explains that "zero-shot visual inspection" [1] lets a machine identify objects and patterns it has never seen before by comparing what it sees to a reference image of something "good," then applying reasoning to look for cracks or other defects.
Humanoid robots are starting to take on material-moving tasks too — DC Velocity reports [2] that Agility Robotics' Digit moved more than 100,000 totes at a GXO Logistics facility in Georgia, although humanoid robot deployment in warehouses remained below 5% as of last year due to short operating time, long recharge cycles, limited field testing, and safety concerns.
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for Machine Feeders & Offbearers?
Adoption is accelerating fast in this field. PwC's 2026 outlook [3], surveying 443 industrial executives, found that advanced technology adoption is set to increase from 26% to 68% over five years, with production/operations among the heaviest users. A big driver is labor: the AEM notes that average tenure at a manufacturing company dropped from 20 years in 2019 to just three years in 2023, pushing employers toward machines.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics warns that warehousing firms are increasingly implementing automation solutions like automated guided vehicles, robots, and AI-based systems, and productivity gains are expected to limit labor demand [4]. Still, adoption won't be overnight — humanoid robots face high prices and a dexterity gap that are likely to persist into the next decade, and small manufacturers often lack the capital. The hopeful news for young workers: the World Economic Forum [5] projects that while 92 million jobs might be eliminated by 2030, 170 million new roles will be created because of AI, resulting in a net gain of 78 million.
Skills like robot maintenance, quality troubleshooting, and overseeing automated cells — things humans still do better than machines — are where this career is heading.
Sources
Will AI replace Machine Feeders & Offbearers?
In part. We think AI will eventually automate a real share of this work, but the transition will be uneven, and the skills you build here can carry you further than this one job title.
The honest picture: loading, unloading, and repetitive pick-and-place tasks are exactly what robots are designed to do, and adoption is accelerating fast. Industrial executives surveyed in a PwC outlook expect advanced technology use in production to jump from 26% to 68% over five years [3]. The BLS warns that automated guided vehicles and AI systems are already limiting labor demand in warehousing [4]. Our own scorecard puts this role at a 23.2% AI Resilience Score, which is a real warning worth taking seriously.
That said, the full replacement is not happening overnight. Humanoid robots still face a dexterity gap, high costs, and limited field testing that will persist into the next decade [2]. Small manufacturers often lack the capital to automate quickly.
More importantly, the career journey matters more than the job title. Workers who understand automated cells, robot maintenance, and quality troubleshooting are exactly what manufacturers need as they upgrade. The World Economic Forum projects 170 million new roles created by 2030 because of AI [5]. Treat this role as a starting point, not a destination, and the skills you gain now become your path forward.
Sources
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Latest AI news for Machine Feeders & Offbearers
The recommended articles highlight the resilience of careers like "Machine Feeders and Offbearers" in the face of AI advancements. For instance, Microsoft's research indicates that jobs requiring physical labor, such as those in manufacturing, are less likely to be automated. This resilience stems from the need for human oversight in complex environments. Understanding these trends can empower students to pursue careers in this field, as the demand for skilled workers remains strong despite technological advancements. Embracing ongoing learning and adaptability will further enhance job security in this evolving landscape.
Which Jobs Are AI-Safe? Microsoft’s Surprising Data
www.forbes.com • 8/7/2025
Is your job at risk? Microsoft's new study identifies which careers are considered AI-safe jobs and which may disappear as automation grows.
Which Jobs Are Most Likely to Be Replaced by AI? Microsoft Chips In
www.thehrdigest.com • 8/5/2025
Are jobs going to be replaced by AI? A Microsoft study found the top jobs facing an AI threat and those most resilient to AI disruption.
Microsoft study shows jobs most — and least — impacted by generative AI
www.geekwire.com • 8/4/2025
Roofers and other jobs requiring physical labor are least vulnerable to AI impact, according to a study from Microsoft.
These are the jobs that are most likely to be automated by AI
www.techspot.com • 7/30/2025
Through the looking glass: Artificial intelligence tools are seeping into daily work, but some jobs are feeling the impact far more than...
AI threatens to eliminate 40 job roles, according to Microsoft's latest research finding — Is your career safe?
www.windowscentral.com • 7/29/2025
A Microsoft Research paper has listed out 40 professions it believes are most at risk from the rise of AI, as well as 40 professions that...
More Career Info
Career: Machine Feeders and Offbearers
They load materials into machines and take finished products out, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
Parent Careers
Similar Careers
Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$39,700
Jobs (2024)
46,500
Growth (2024-34)
-13.0%
Annual Openings
4,700
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
Weigh or measure materials or products to ensure conformance to specifications.
2
Clean and maintain machinery, equipment, and work areas to ensure proper functioning and safe working conditions.
3
Record production and operational data, such as amount of materials processed.
4
Transfer materials and products to and from machinery and equipment, using industrial trucks or hand trucks.
5
Identify and mark materials, products, and samples, following instructions.
6
Open and close gates of belt and pneumatic conveyors on machines that are fed directly from preceding machines.
7
Remove materials and products from machines and equipment, and place them in boxes, trucks or conveyors, using hand tools and moving devices.
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.
