Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Machines can already do 29% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 70%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 29% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 70% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 2,950,280 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $40,240 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 56% for contact with people.
- Also called: Laborer, Loader, Material Handler, Merchandise Pick Up Associate.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move freight, stock, or other materials to and from storage or production areas, loading docks, delivery vehicles, ships, or containers, by hand or using trucks, tractors, or other equipment | 53% | 30% to 75% | |
| Sort cargo before loading and unloading | 11% | 20% to 60% | |
| Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs | 7% | 42% to 72% | |
| Pack containers and re-pack damaged containers | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Maintain equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected | 4% | 20% to 60% | |
| Install protective devices, such as bracing, padding, or strapping, to prevent shifting or damage to items being transported | 4% | 20% to 60% | |
| Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information | 4% | 20% to 60% | |
| Record numbers of units handled or moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets | 4% | 70% to 95% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $34,890
- Dishwashers68% of tasks by 2035 · US median $34,810
- Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons53% of tasks by 2035 · US median $40,470
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service63% of tasks by 2035 · US median $39,280
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand?
Machines can do 29% of the tasks of laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand today and 70% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 53-7062.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/laborers-and-freight-stock-and-material-movers-hand/