Takeover Tracker
45%medium risk

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.

Higher risk than 92% of occupations
Checking for existing plan...

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.

Risk: 61.0%AI: 70EstimatedTime: 20%

Sort cargo before loading and unloading.

Risk: 61.0%AI: 70EstimatedTime: 10%

Stack cargo in locations, such as transit sheds or in holds of ships as directed, using pallets or cargo boards.

Risk: 57.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 8%

Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information.

Risk: 59.0%AI: 65EstimatedTime: 5%

Record numbers of units handled or moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets.

Risk: 88.0%AI: 97EstimatedTime: 5%

Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs.

Risk: 86.0%AI: 92EstimatedTime: 5%

Install protective devices, such as bracing, padding, or strapping, to prevent shifting or damage to items being transported.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 4%

Direct spouts and position receptacles, such as bins, carts, or containers, so they can be loaded.

Risk: 53.0%AI: 50EstimatedTime: 3%

Attach slings, hooks, or other devices to lift cargo and guide loads.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 35EstimatedTime: 4%

Maintain equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 4%

Adjust controls to guide, position, or move equipment, such as cranes, booms, or cameras.

Risk: 59.0%AI: 65EstimatedTime: 3%

Guide loads being lifted to prevent swinging.

Risk: 61.0%AI: 70EstimatedTime: 3%

Wash out cargo containers or storage areas.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 45EstimatedTime: 2%

Pack containers and re-pack damaged containers.

Risk: 53.0%AI: 50EstimatedTime: 4%

Carry needed tools or supplies from storage or trucks and return them after use.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 45EstimatedTime: 3%

Shovel material, such as gravel, ice, or spilled concrete, into containers or bins or onto conveyors.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 2%

Connect electrical equipment to power sources so that it can be tested before use.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 2%

Carry out general yard duties, such as performing shunting on railway lines.

Risk: 53.0%AI: 50EstimatedTime: 2%

Rig or dismantle props or equipment, such as frames, scaffolding, platforms, or backdrops, using hand tools.

Risk: 15.0%AI: 15EstimatedTime: 2%

Adjust or replace equipment parts, such as rollers, belts, plugs, or caps, using hand tools.

Risk: 15.0%AI: 15EstimatedTime: 2%

Bundle and band material such as fodder or tobacco leaves, using banding machines.

Risk: 57.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 2%

Take inventory of freight, stock, or other materials used on site.

Risk: 84.0%AI: 87EstimatedTime: 3%

Check freight, stock, or other materials for damage.

Risk: 85.2%AI: 90EstimatedTime: 2%

Skill Impact Analysis

AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)

Information Ordering5%

Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Reading Comprehension10%

Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

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/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Leadership88%

Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Equipment Maintenance78%

Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Service Orientation82%

Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.

Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.

Upskill to Reduce Risk

Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills

DataCampbeginner

SQL Fundamentals Skill Track

by DataCamp

21 hours$25/mo4.7Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Information Ordering

Estimated Impact

-6.5pt risk+$2K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Courserabeginner

Google UX Design Professional Certificate

by Google

~5 months$49/mo4.8Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Critical Thinking

Estimated Impact

-4.6pt risk+$2K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Coursera

Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence

by Case Western Reserve University

32 hours$49/mo4.8Certificate
Strengthens resilience: Adaptability/Flexibility

Estimated Impact

-3.5pt risk+$2K/yr salary

We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.

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

+3.2

overall change

Education & Training

Percentage of workers at each education and training level

Education Level

Less than High School19%
High School Diploma70%
Post-Secondary Certificate5%
Associate's Degree5%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

None35%
Up to 1 month16%
1-3 months3%
3-6 months17%
6 months - 1 year8%
1-2 years16%
2-4 years1%
4-6 years2%
Over 10 years3%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

None17%
Up to 1 month51%
1-3 months11%
3-6 months14%
6 months - 1 year5%
1-2 years2%

Related News

Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation

5 articles

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.

Supply Chain Dive2d ago

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.

The Road to Autonomy3d ago

Heavy robotic arm market to hit $17.6B by 2032, threatening manual labor jobs

Automotive and mining sectors are accelerating their investments in high-capacity automation, driving a massive expansion in industrial robotics. This rapid adoption of AI-driven heavy machinery directly targets physically demanding roles in manufacturing.

Openpr.com3d ago

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.

Business Insider Tech4d ago

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.

Breaking the Bottleneck4d ago

Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis