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Packers and Packagers, 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 shrink over the next decade, with about 1,895 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 8% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Record product, packaging, and order information on specified forms and records.

    AI could do much of this on its own

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Examine and inspect containers, materials, or products to ensure that product quality and packing specifications are met.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Measure, weigh, and count products and materials.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Remove completed or defective products or materials, placing them on moving equipment, such as conveyors, or in specified areas, such as loading docks.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Seal containers or materials, using glues, fasteners, nails, and hand tools.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Assemble, line, and pad cartons, crates, and containers, using hand tools.

    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.

  • Machine Feeders and Offbearers

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    Pays about 17% more—$44,400 vs your $38,077 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
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    • Manual Dexterity
    • Static Strength
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Operations Monitoring
    • Control Precision
    • Reaction Time
    • Rate Control
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  • Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand

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    +20% pay11,417 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 20% more—$45,611 vs your $38,077 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
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    • Trunk Strength
    • Manual Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Administration and Management
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    • Control Precision
    • Reaction Time
  • Helpers--Production Workers

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    Pays about 17% more—$44,531 vs your $38,077 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

    • Near Vision
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    • Manual Dexterity
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    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Control Precision
  • Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders

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    +6% pay1,693 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 6% more—$40,228 vs your $38,077 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
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Mechanical
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    • Education and Training
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    • Reaction Time
  • Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

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    Pays about 13% more—$43,096 vs your $38,077 here.

    What the move takes

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    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Production and Processing
    • Near Vision
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    • Manual Dexterity
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    New skills to build

    • Operations Monitoring
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  • Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

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    Pays about 33% more—$50,811 vs your $38,077 here.

    What the move takes

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    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

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    New skills to build

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    Pays about 42% more—$54,006 vs your $38,077 here.

    What the move takes

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    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

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    • Near Vision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Oral Comprehension
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    New skills to build

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  • Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

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    Pays about 20% more—$45,680 vs your $38,077 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
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    • Manual Dexterity
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

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    Pays about 23% more—$46,989 vs your $38,077 here.

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    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Production and Processing
    • Near Vision
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    • Oral Comprehension
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    New skills to build

    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
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    What the move takes

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    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Production and Processing
    • Near Vision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression

    New skills to build

    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
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    Pays slightly less—$35,849 vs your $38,077 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

    • Near Vision
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    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

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    Pays about 56% more—$59,412 vs your $38,077 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

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

    New skills to build

    • Operations Monitoring
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  • Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

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    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

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

    New skills to build

    • Reaction Time
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Equipment Maintenance
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  • Sewing Machine Operators

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    What the move takes

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    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

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    New skills to build

    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
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