Driver/sales workers
SOC Code: 53-3031
Driver/sales workers carries a 34% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $37,130 and +8.8% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 451,500 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 34% AI exposure, Driver/sales workers sits 3 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 43% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Driver/sales workers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Driver/sales workers has ai exposure of 34%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Driver/sales workers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Driver/sales workers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Driver/sales workers (SOC 53-3031) carries an AI exposure score of 34%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 451,500 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +8.8% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $37,130, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Driver/sales workers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Drive trucks to deliver such items as food, medical supplies, or newspapers.
- 2. Arrange merchandise and sales promotion displays or issue sales promotion materials to customers.
- 3. Collect coins from vending machines, refill machines, and remove aged merchandise.
- 4. Inform regular customers of new products or services and price changes.
- 5. Record sales or delivery information on daily sales or delivery record.
- 6. Listen to and resolve customers' complaints regarding products or services.
- 7. Collect money from customers, make change, and record transactions on customer receipts.
- 8. Maintain trucks and food-dispensing equipment and clean inside of machines that dispense food or beverages.
- 9. Write customer orders and sales contracts according to company guidelines.
- 10. Review lists of dealers, customers, or station drops and load trucks.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Service Orientation
- Reading Comprehension
- Social Perceptiveness
- Complex Problem Solving
- Time Management
- Monitoring
- Persuasion
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Food Production
- English Language
- Transportation
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
- Sales and Marketing
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Computers and Electronics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Driver/sales workers?
Driver/sales workers has an AI exposure score of 34%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Driver/sales workers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Driver/sales workers is projected to grow by 8.8% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 451,500 workers.
What skills are needed for Driver/sales workers?
Key skills for Driver/sales workers include Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Driver/sales workers earn?
The median annual wage for Driver/sales workers is $37,130, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Driver/sales workers?
The typical entry-level education for Driver/sales workers is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Driver/sales workers?
Driver/sales workers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).