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Light Truck Drivers

The short answer

Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 5,535 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.

How much AI could touch this job

Middleband 3 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

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

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle 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

The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.

AI can help with or automate about 46% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Report any mechanical problems encountered with vehicles.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  2. Verify the contents of inventory loads against shipping papers.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  3. Read maps and follow written or verbal geographic directions.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  4. Present bills and receipts and collect payments for goods delivered or loaded.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  5. Maintain records, such as vehicle logs, records of cargo, or billing statements, in accordance with regulations.

    AI could do much of this on its own

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Obey traffic laws and follow established traffic and transportation procedures.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Inspect and maintain vehicle supplies and equipment, such as gas, oil, water, tires, lights, or brakes, to ensure that vehicles are in proper working condition.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Turn in receipts and money received from deliveries.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Load and unload trucks, vans, or automobiles.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Drive vehicles with capacities under three tons to transport materials to and from specified destinations, such as railroad stations, plants, residences, offices, or within industrial yards.

    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.

  • Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

    Very similar work
    +34% pay6,874 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 34% more—$63,406 vs your $47,341 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Far Vision
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Spatial Orientation
    • English Language

    New skills to build

    • Rate Control
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Response Orientation
    • Control Precision
    • Reaction Time
  • Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs

    Very similar work
    slightly less pay4,424 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays slightly less—$45,125 vs your $47,341 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

    • Far Vision
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Expression
    • English Language
    • Spatial Orientation

    New skills to build

    • Public Safety and Security
    • Personnel and Human Resources
    • Transportation
    • Psychology
    • Administrative
  • Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

    Very similar work
    +40% pay1,700 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 40% more—$66,371 vs your $47,341 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

    • Static Strength
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Reaction Time
    • Trunk Strength
    • Far Vision

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Driver/Sales Workers

    Very similar work
    slightly less pay2,952 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$43,664 vs your $47,341 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

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Expression
    • Near Vision
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Food Production
    • Persuasion
    • Negotiation
  • Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

    Very similar work
    +6% pay1,632 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 6% more—$50,099 vs your $47,341 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

    • Far Vision
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Static Strength
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Trunk Strength

    New skills to build

    • Control Precision
  • Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

    Very similar work
    +82% pay3,323 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 82% more—$86,327 vs your $47,341 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

    • Far Vision
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Spatial Orientation
    • English Language

    New skills to build

    • Transportation
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Response Orientation
  • Transportation Inspectors

    Similar work
    +102% pay517 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 102% more—$95,467 vs your $47,341 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

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Expression
    • English Language
    • Far Vision
    • Transportation

    New skills to build

    • Mechanical
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Education and Training
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Computers and Electronics
  • Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

    Similar work
    +73% pay720 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 73% more—$81,747 vs your $47,341 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

    • Far Vision
    • Oral Expression
    • English Language
    • Transportation
    • Near Vision

    New skills to build

    • Public Safety and Security
    • Coordination
    • Management of Personnel Resources
    • Education and Training
    • Auditory Attention
  • Postal Service Mail Carriers

    Somewhat similar work
    +34% pay1,775 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 34% more—$63,536 vs your $47,341 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

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Expression
    • English Language
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Near Vision

    New skills to build

    • Sales and Marketing
  • Postal Service Clerks

    Somewhat similar work
    +36% pay591 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 36% more—$64,174 vs your $47,341 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

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Expression
    • English Language
    • Near Vision
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Computers and Electronics
    • Mathematics
    • Sales and Marketing