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Helpers--Production Workers

The short answer

This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 580 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.

How much AI could touch this job

Least exposedband 1 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.

AI can help with or automate about 17% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Count finished products to determine if product orders are complete.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  3. Measure amounts of products, lengths of extruded articles, or weights of filled containers to ensure conformance to specifications.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  4. Record information, such as the number of products tested, meter readings, or dates and times of product production.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  5. Read gauges or charts, and record data obtained.

    AI could do much of this on its own

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Separate products according to weight, grade, size, or composition of materials used to produce them.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Turn valves to regulate flow of liquids or air, to reverse machines, to start pumps, or to regulate equipment.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders

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    slightly less pay1,693 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$40,228 vs your $44,531 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Control Precision
    • Near Vision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Finger Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Customer and Personal Service
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    • Education and Training
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  • Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

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    Pays slightly less—$43,096 vs your $44,531 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Near Vision
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    • Trunk Strength
    • Static Strength
    • Manual Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Production and Processing
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Operation and Control
    • Mechanical
    • Rate Control
  • Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

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    Pays about 9% more—$48,321 vs your $44,531 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Near Vision
    • Control Precision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
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    New skills to build

    • Mechanical
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    • Equipment Maintenance
  • Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

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    Pays about 21% more—$54,006 vs your $44,531 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Near Vision
    • Control Precision
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Finger Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Customer and Personal Service
  • Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

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    Pays about 14% more—$50,811 vs your $44,531 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Near Vision
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    • Manual Dexterity
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
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    New skills to build

    • Quality Control Analysis
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    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Rate Control
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    about the same pay116 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about the same—$44,721 vs your $44,531 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Near Vision
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    • Manual Dexterity
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    New skills to build

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    Pays about 13% more—$50,412 vs your $44,531 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Near Vision
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    • Manual Dexterity
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Static Strength

    New skills to build

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    • Quality Control Analysis
    • Administration and Management
    • Reaction Time
  • Machine Feeders and Offbearers

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    Pays slightly less—$44,400 vs your $44,531 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Control Precision
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    • Near Vision
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    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand

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    Pays about 2% more—$45,611 vs your $44,531 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Trunk Strength
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    New skills to build

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    +1% pay1,275 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 1% more—$45,109 vs your $44,531 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Control Precision
    • Static Strength
    • Near Vision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    New skills to build

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    Pays about 43% more—$63,700 vs your $44,531 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Trunk Strength
    • Static Strength
    • Near Vision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    New skills to build

    • Building and Construction
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  • Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

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    +20% pay351 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 20% more—$53,409 vs your $44,531 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Trunk Strength
    • Static Strength
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Near Vision
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    New skills to build

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    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Near Vision
    • Trunk Strength
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Control Precision
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    New skills to build

    • Building and Construction
    • Design
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Administration and Management
    • Public Safety and Security