Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Manually move freight, stock, or other materials or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.
How AI Impacts Each Task
23 tasks analyzed
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.
Sort cargo before loading and unloading.
Stack cargo in locations, such as transit sheds or in holds of ships as directed, using pallets or cargo boards.
Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information.
Record numbers of units handled or moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets.
Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs.
Install protective devices, such as bracing, padding, or strapping, to prevent shifting or damage to items being transported.
Direct spouts and position receptacles, such as bins, carts, or containers, so they can be loaded.
Attach slings, hooks, or other devices to lift cargo and guide loads.
Maintain equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected.
Adjust controls to guide, position, or move equipment, such as cranes, booms, or cameras.
Guide loads being lifted to prevent swinging.
Wash out cargo containers or storage areas.
Pack containers and re-pack damaged containers.
Carry needed tools or supplies from storage or trucks and return them after use.
Shovel material, such as gravel, ice, or spilled concrete, into containers or bins or onto conveyors.
Connect electrical equipment to power sources so that it can be tested before use.
Carry out general yard duties, such as performing shunting on railway lines.
Rig or dismantle props or equipment, such as frames, scaffolding, platforms, or backdrops, using hand tools.
Adjust or replace equipment parts, such as rollers, belts, plugs, or caps, using hand tools.
Bundle and band material such as fodder or tobacco leaves, using banding machines.
Take inventory of freight, stock, or other materials used on site.
Check freight, stock, or other materials for damage.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 20% | |
| Sort cargo before loading and unloading. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 10% | |
| Stack cargo in locations, such as transit sheds or in holds of ships as directed, using pallets or cargo boards. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 8% | |
| Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 5% | |
| Record numbers of units handled or moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 5% | |
| Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 5% | |
| Install protective devices, such as bracing, padding, or strapping, to prevent shifting or damage to items being transported. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Direct spouts and position receptacles, such as bins, carts, or containers, so they can be loaded. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 3% | |
| Attach slings, hooks, or other devices to lift cargo and guide loads. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Maintain equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Adjust controls to guide, position, or move equipment, such as cranes, booms, or cameras. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 3% | |
| Guide loads being lifted to prevent swinging. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 3% | |
| Wash out cargo containers or storage areas. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 2% | |
| Pack containers and re-pack damaged containers. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 4% | |
| Carry needed tools or supplies from storage or trucks and return them after use. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 3% | |
| Shovel material, such as gravel, ice, or spilled concrete, into containers or bins or onto conveyors. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 2% | |
| Connect electrical equipment to power sources so that it can be tested before use. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 2% | |
| Carry out general yard duties, such as performing shunting on railway lines. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 2% | |
| Rig or dismantle props or equipment, such as frames, scaffolding, platforms, or backdrops, using hand tools. | 15Estimated | 15.0% | 2% | |
| Adjust or replace equipment parts, such as rollers, belts, plugs, or caps, using hand tools. | 15Estimated | 15.0% | 2% | |
| Bundle and band material such as fodder or tobacco leaves, using banding machines. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 2% | |
| Take inventory of freight, stock, or other materials used on site. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 3% | |
| Check freight, stock, or other materials for damage. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Related News
Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation
New Smurfit Westrock Automated Plant Operates With 40% Less Labor
A new packaging facility in Wisconsin is utilizing advanced robotics to operate with only 60% of the workforce required by traditional box plants. The massive site demonstrates how manufacturing scale is decoupling from headcount.
Ouster's New LiDAR Accelerates Physical AI and Blue-Collar Automation
Ouster's CEO revealed how their new REV8 LiDAR serves as the sensory foundation for physical AI systems. This hardware advancement accelerates the deployment of autonomous machines, directly threatening manual labor roles in logistics and physical operations.

Heavy robotic arm market to hit $17.6B by 2032, threatening manual labor jobs
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Logistics Company Cuts Delivery Routes by Half with AI
Net Zero Logistics deployed the AI tool Finmile to optimize routing and real-time tracking, effectively cutting delivery routes by 50%. This massive efficiency gain directly reduces the manual hours needed for package sorting and driving.

Bosch deploys physical AI agents saving €850K per manufacturing plant.
The German engineering giant successfully integrated autonomous systems into its factory floors, drastically cutting operational costs. This widespread adoption of physical AI signals a rapid shift toward automated manufacturing roles.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis