Helpers--Production Workers
Production Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 51-9198.00
Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Low· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.039
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.12
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Exposed tasks only34 rated tasks · 5 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (14.7%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Record information, such as the number of products tested, meter readings, or dates and times of product production.O*NET Task ID 12702 | 1.0 |
Read gauges or charts, and record data obtained.O*NET Task ID 12715 | 1.0 |
Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards.O*NET Task ID 12694 | 0.5 |
Count finished products to determine if product orders are complete.O*NET Task ID 12697 | 0.5 |
Measure amounts of products, lengths of extruded articles, or weights of filled containers to ensure conformance to specifications.O*NET Task ID 12713 | 0.5 |
Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.O*NET Task ID 12693 | 0.0 |
Observe equipment operations so that malfunctions can be detected, and notify operators of any malfunctions.O*NET Task ID 12695 | 0.0 |
Lift raw materials, finished products, and packed items, manually or using hoists.O*NET Task ID 12696 | 0.0 |
Mark or tag identification on parts.O*NET Task ID 12698 | 0.0 |
Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances.O*NET Task ID 12699 | 0.0 |
Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill, such as supplying or holding materials or tools, or cleaning work areas and equipment.O*NET Task ID 12700 | 0.0 |
Clean and lubricate equipment.O*NET Task ID 12701 | 0.0 |
Start machines or equipment to begin production processes.O*NET Task ID 12703 | 0.0 |
Separate products according to weight, grade, size, or composition of materials used to produce them.O*NET Task ID 12704 | 0.0 |
Turn valves to regulate flow of liquids or air, to reverse machines, to start pumps, or to regulate equipment.O*NET Task ID 12705 | 0.0 |
Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping.O*NET Task ID 12706 | 0.0 |
Remove products, machine attachments, or waste material from machines.O*NET Task ID 12707 | 0.0 |
Pack and store materials and products.O*NET Task ID 12708 | 0.0 |
Tie products in bundles for further processing or shipment, following prescribed procedures.O*NET Task ID 12709 | 0.0 |
Transfer finished products, raw materials, tools, or equipment between storage and work areas of plants and warehouses, by hand or using hand trucks or powered lift trucks.O*NET Task ID 12710 | 0.0 |
Signal coworkers to direct them to move products during the production process.O*NET Task ID 12711 | 0.0 |
Prepare raw materials for processing.O*NET Task ID 12712 | 0.0 |
Thread ends of items such as thread, cloth, and lace through needles and rollers, and around take-up tubes.O*NET Task ID 12714 | 0.0 |
Mix ingredients according to specified procedures or formulas.O*NET Task ID 12716 | 0.0 |
Position spouts or chutes of storage bins so that containers can be filled.O*NET Task ID 12717 | 0.0 |
Fold products and product parts during processing.O*NET Task ID 12718 | 0.0 |
Wash work areas, machines, equipment, vehicles, or products.O*NET Task ID 12719 | 0.0 |
Unclamp and hoist full reels from braiding, winding, or other fabricating machines, using power hoists.O*NET Task ID 12720 | 0.0 |
Dump materials such as prepared ingredients into machine hoppers prior to mixing.O*NET Task ID 12721 | 0.0 |
Break up defective products for reprocessing.O*NET Task ID 12722 | 0.0 |
Change machine gears, using wrenches.O*NET Task ID 12723 | 0.0 |
Cut or break flashing from materials or products.O*NET Task ID 12724 | 0.0 |
Perform minor repairs to machines, such as replacing damaged or worn parts.O*NET Task ID 12725 | 0.0 |
Attach slings, ropes, or cables to objects such as pipes, hoses, or bundles.O*NET Task ID 12726 | 0.0 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (34)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators. | Core |
| Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards. | Core |
| Observe equipment operations so that malfunctions can be detected, and notify operators of any malfunctions. | Core |
| Lift raw materials, finished products, and packed items, manually or using hoists. | Core |
| Count finished products to determine if product orders are complete. | Core |
| Mark or tag identification on parts. | Core |
| Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances. | Core |
| Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill, such as supplying or holding materials or tools, or cleaning work areas and equipment. | Core |
| Separate products according to weight, grade, size, or composition of materials used to produce them. | Core |
| Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping. | Core |
| Remove products, machine attachments, or waste material from machines. | Core |
| Pack and store materials and products. | Core |
| Transfer finished products, raw materials, tools, or equipment between storage and work areas of plants and warehouses, by hand or using hand trucks or powered lift trucks. | Core |
| Wash work areas, machines, equipment, vehicles, or products. | Core |
| Clean and lubricate equipment. | Supplemental |
| Record information, such as the number of products tested, meter readings, or dates and times of product production. | Supplemental |
| Start machines or equipment to begin production processes. | Supplemental |
| Turn valves to regulate flow of liquids or air, to reverse machines, to start pumps, or to regulate equipment. | Supplemental |
| Tie products in bundles for further processing or shipment, following prescribed procedures. | Supplemental |
| Signal coworkers to direct them to move products during the production process. | Supplemental |
| Prepare raw materials for processing. | Supplemental |
| Measure amounts of products, lengths of extruded articles, or weights of filled containers to ensure conformance to specifications. | Supplemental |
| Thread ends of items such as thread, cloth, and lace through needles and rollers, and around take-up tubes. | Supplemental |
| Read gauges or charts, and record data obtained. | Supplemental |
| Mix ingredients according to specified procedures or formulas. | Supplemental |
| Position spouts or chutes of storage bins so that containers can be filled. | Supplemental |
| Fold products and product parts during processing. | Supplemental |
| Unclamp and hoist full reels from braiding, winding, or other fabricating machines, using power hoists. | Supplemental |
| Dump materials such as prepared ingredients into machine hoppers prior to mixing. | Supplemental |
| Break up defective products for reprocessing. | Supplemental |
| Change machine gears, using wrenches. | Supplemental |
| Cut or break flashing from materials or products. | Supplemental |
| Perform minor repairs to machines, such as replacing damaged or worn parts. | Supplemental |
| Attach slings, ropes, or cables to objects such as pipes, hoses, or bundles. | Supplemental |
1.23/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Lift raw materials, finished products, and packed items, manually or using hoists. | E2 structured facilities |
| Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill, such as supplying or holding materials or tools, or cleaning work areas and equipment. | E2 structured facilities |
| Start machines or equipment to begin production processes. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping. | E2 structured facilities |
| Remove products, machine attachments, or waste material from machines. | E2 structured facilities |
| Pack and store materials and products. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Transfer finished products, raw materials, tools, or equipment between storage and work areas of plants and warehouses, by hand or using hand trucks or powered lift trucks. | E2 structured facilities |
| Count finished products to determine if product orders are complete. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Mark or tag identification on parts. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Clean and lubricate equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Separate products according to weight, grade, size, or composition of materials used to produce them. | E2 structured facilities |
| Turn valves to regulate flow of liquids or air, to reverse machines, to start pumps, or to regulate equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Tie products in bundles for further processing or shipment, following prescribed procedures. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Prepare raw materials for processing. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Measure amounts of products, lengths of extruded articles, or weights of filled containers to ensure conformance to specifications. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Mix ingredients according to specified procedures or formulas. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Position spouts or chutes of storage bins so that containers can be filled. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Wash work areas, machines, equipment, vehicles, or products. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Unclamp and hoist full reels from braiding, winding, or other fabricating machines, using power hoists. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Break up defective products for reprocessing. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Cut or break flashing from materials or products. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Perform minor repairs to machines, such as replacing damaged or worn parts. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Attach slings, ropes, or cables to objects such as pipes, hoses, or bundles. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 167K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 154K
- Change (2025–35)
- -8.2%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $39,070
- Typical education needed for entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93099 | 그 외 제조 관련 단순 종사원 | This occupation is narrower | confirmed |
| 93092 | 수동 상표 부착원 | Related, not a match | confirmed |
| 93093 | 제품 단순 선별원 | Related, not a match | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 9329Manufacturing Labourers Not Elsewhere Classified
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- factory handESCO 9329.1Same scope
Factory hands assist machine operators and product assemblers. They clean the machines and the working areas. Factory hands make sure supplies and materials are replenished.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| H3302 | Agent / Agente de conditionnement | Overlapping, not the same |
| H2906 | Opérateur / Opératrice en fabrication mécanique | Related, not a match |
| N1105 | Manutentionnaire | Related, not a match |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 9700 | Peones de las industrias manufactureras | This occupation is narrower |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 22101 | Berufe in der Kunststoff- und Kautschukherstellung (ohne Spezialisierung) - Helfer-/Anlerntätigkeiten | This occupation is broader |
| 23101 | Berufe in der Papier- und Verpackungstechnik (ohne Spezialisierung) - Helfer-/Anlerntätigkeiten | This occupation is broader |
| 24201 | Berufe in der Metallbearbeitung (ohne Spezialisierung) - Helfer-/Anlerntätigkeiten | This occupation is broader |
| 25101 | Berufe in der Maschinenbau- und Betriebstechnik (ohne Spezialisierung) - Helfer-/Anlerntätigkeiten | This occupation is broader |
| 26301 | Berufe in der Elektrotechnik (ohne Spezialisierung) - Helfer-/Anlerntätigkeiten | This occupation is broader |
| 41311 | Berufe in der Chemie- und Pharmatechnik - Helfer-/Anlerntätigkeiten | This occupation is broader |
| 21201 | Berufe in der Naturstein- und Mineralaufbereitung und -verarbeitung und Baustoffherstellung (ohne Spezialisierung) - Helfer-/Anlerntätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| 21311 | Berufe in der Glasherstellung - Helfer-/Anlerntätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| 21411 | Berufe in der Industriekeramik (Verfahrens- und Anlagentechnik) - Helfer-/Anlerntätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| 22301 | Berufe in der Holzbe- und -verarbeitung (ohne Spezialisierung) - Helfer-/Anlerntätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| 24101 | Berufe in der Metallerzeugung (ohne Spezialisierung) - Helfer-/Anlerntätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| 24411 | Berufe im Metallbau - Helfer-/Anlerntätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| 24511 | Berufe in der Feinwerktechnik - Helfer-/Anlerntätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 739 | その他の運搬・清掃・包装等従事者 | This occupation is narrower |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources