Headline risk
8%
Low RiskMachine feeders and offbearers
AI displacement pressure score for United States AI Work Index, combining global AI task overlap with local wages, employment trends, and demand signals.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 0% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 39,700
Employment 2024
46.5K
Projected Change (2024–34)
-13.0%
Openings (2024–34)
4.7K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Overall employment of hand laborers and material movers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Record production and operational data, such as amount of materials processed. AI use: 0%
- 2. Inspect materials and products for defects, and to ensure conformance to specifications. AI use: 0%
- 3. Clean and maintain machinery, equipment, and work areas to ensure proper functioning and safe working conditions. AI use: 0%
- 4. Push dual control buttons and move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment. AI use: 0%
- 5. Weigh or measure materials or products to ensure conformance to specifications. AI use: 0%
- 6. Identify and mark materials, products, and samples, following instructions. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 45.5 · 329K employed
Under 25: 5% · 25–54: 67% · 55+: 28%
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Data quality
Employment data available
Narrative & sources
Hand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials.
Most hand laborers and material movers work full time. Because materials are shipped around the clock, some workers, especially those in warehousing, work overnight shifts.
There are usually no formal educational requirements to become a hand laborer or material mover. Employers typically require only that applicants be physically able to perform the work.
The median annual wage for hand laborers and material movers was $37,680 in May 2024.
Overall employment of hand laborers and material movers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Important context
This score measures structural AI displacement pressure, not actual job losses. Local wages and demand data are specific to United States AI Work Index; the underlying AI task overlap analysis is consistent across all countries.