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Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers

Transportation & Material Movinglowmixed
BLS 2024-34: +6%
Median Wage: $35,000
Employment: 2.8M

Overall Exposure

20+10

2025 vs 2023

Theoretical Exposure

34

What AI could do

Observed Exposure

11

What AI actually does

Automation Risk Score

21

Displacement risk

3-Year Outlook (2025 โ†’ 2028)

Projected changes in AI automation metrics over the next 3 years based on estimated data.

Overall Exposure

20โ†’35
+15

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Theoretical Exposure

34โ†’52
+18

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Observed Exposure

11โ†’22
+11

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Automation Risk

21โ†’36
+15

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)

Detailed Metrics Table

YearOverallTheoreticalObservedRiskData Type
20231022512actual
20241528816actual
202520341121actual
202625401426estimated
202730461831estimated
202835522236estimated

Task Breakdown

Sort and organize inventory in warehouse
45%ฮฒ 0.5
Load and unload freight and materials
30%ฮฒ 0.5
Track shipments and update inventory records
70%ฮฒ 1
Operate forklifts and material handling equipment
25%ฮฒ 0

About This Occupation

If you work as a Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, AI is reshaping your profession. With an automation risk of 21/100 and overall exposure at 20%, this role faces low transformation. The highest-impact area is track shipments and update inventory records at 70% automation. This is classified as a 'mixed' role. BLS projects +6% growth through 2034. Warehouse robotics and AI-driven logistics are transforming operations, but physical labor demand remains strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

With an automation risk score of 21%, Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers has a low risk of AI replacement. Most tasks in this role require skills that are difficult for AI to replicate, such as complex decision-making, physical dexterity, or deep interpersonal interaction. AI is more likely to serve as a supportive tool.

The AI automation risk score for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers is 21% (2025 data). Overall AI exposure is 20%, with 34% theoretical exposure and 11% observed exposure. The risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is +9 points.

The tasks with the highest automation potential for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers are: Track shipments and update inventory records (70%), Sort and organize inventory in warehouse (45%), Load and unload freight and materials (30%). These rates reflect how much of each task current AI systems can handle, based on research data from Anthropic and academic sources.

The BLS projects +6% employment change for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers from 2024 to 2034. Combined with an overall AI exposure of 20%, this occupation is experiencing both traditional labor market shifts and AI-driven transformation. Workers should monitor both employment trends and AI capability growth.

Since AI primarily augments capabilities in this role, professionals in Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers should embrace AI as a productivity multiplier. Focus on learning to use AI tools effectively, developing higher-order analytical and creative skills, and positioning yourself as someone who can leverage AI to deliver greater value.

Recent AI Impact Changes

Mar 2026: Published evergreen blog post analyzing AI impact on warehouse workers: 21% automation risk amid 6% job growth. Shipment tracking at 70% automation, physical freight handling at 30%.

[Source: ACW Blog]