Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
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 hold steady over the next decade, with about 11,417 openings expected each year.
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
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.
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 8% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Record numbers of units handled or moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets.
AI could do much of this on its own
Record logs of recycled materials or waste chemicals removed from products.
AI could do much of this on its own
Tasks AI can't do much of
Install protective devices, such as bracing, padding, or strapping, to prevent shifting or damage to items being transported.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Maintain equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Collect and sort recyclable construction materials, such as concrete, drywall, plastics, or wood, into containers.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Sort cargo before loading and unloading.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
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.
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
Very similar work+4% pay45 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 4% more—$47,350 vs your $45,611 here.
What the move takes
A step up—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
- Production and Processing
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Trunk Strength
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
Very similar work+10% pay1,632 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 10% more—$50,099 vs your $45,611 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
- Multilimb Coordination
- Static Strength
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Peripheral Vision
- Spatial Orientation
Conveyor Operators and Tenders
Very similar workslightly less pay66 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$43,607 vs your $45,611 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
- Multilimb Coordination
- Control Precision
- English Language
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
New skills to build
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
Machine Feeders and Offbearers
Very similar workslightly less pay94 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$44,400 vs your $45,611 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
- Production and Processing
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Reaction Time
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Helpers--Production Workers
Very similar workslightly less pay580 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$44,531 vs your $45,611 here.
What the move takes
A step up—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
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Static Strength
- Manual Dexterity
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Similar work+11% pay191 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 11% more—$50,811 vs your $45,611 here.
What the move takes
A step up—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
- Multilimb Coordination
- Production and Processing
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Quality Control Analysis
- Operations Monitoring
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Similar work+30% pay72 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 30% more—$59,412 vs your $45,611 here.
What the move takes
A step up—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
- Multilimb Coordination
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
- Public Safety and Security
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
Similar workslightly less pay32 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$43,096 vs your $45,611 here.
What the move takes
A step up—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
- Production and Processing
- Static Strength
- Multilimb Coordination
- Control Precision
- Trunk Strength
New skills to build
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Mechanical
- Quality Control Analysis
- Chemistry
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Similar work+65% pay401 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 65% more—$75,073 vs your $45,611 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Multilimb Coordination
- Control Precision
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Building and Construction
- Problem Sensitivity
- Chemistry
- Critical Thinking
- Oral Comprehension
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
Similar work+24% pay208 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 24% more—$56,717 vs your $45,611 here.
What the move takes
A step up—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
- Manual Dexterity
- Trunk Strength
- Multilimb Coordination
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
New skills to build
- Customer and Personal Service
- Transportation
- Mechanical
- Building and Construction
- Repairing
Construction Laborers
Somewhat similar work+26% pay6,031 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 26% more—$57,446 vs your $45,611 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
- Multilimb Coordination
- Static Strength
- Trunk Strength
- Manual Dexterity
- Control Precision
New skills to build
- Building and Construction