Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand
SOC Code: 53-7062
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand carries a 23% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $38,940 and +1.5% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 2,988,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand (SOC 53-7062) carries an AI exposure score of 23%, 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 2,988,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +1.5% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $38,940, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, 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 Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand. 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. Install protective devices, such as bracing, padding, or strapping, to prevent shifting or damage to items being transported.
- 2. Maintain equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected.
- 3. Collect and sort recyclable construction materials, such as concrete, drywall, plastics, or wood, into containers.
- 4. Sort cargo before loading and unloading.
- 5. Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling.
- 6. Extract chemicals from discarded appliances, such as air conditioners or refrigerators, using specialized machinery, such as refrigerant recovery equipment.
- 7. Deposit recoverable materials into chutes or place materials on conveyor belts.
- 8. Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information.
- 9. Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs.
- 10. Clean recycling yard by sweeping, raking, picking up broken glass and loose paper debris, or moving barrels and bins.
Key Skills Required
- Operation and Control
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Operations Monitoring
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Quality Control Analysis
- Reading Comprehension
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
Knowledge Areas
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Sales and Marketing
- Engineering and Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand?
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand has an AI exposure score of 23%, 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 Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand is projected to grow by 1.5% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 2,988,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand?
Key skills for Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand include Operation and Control, Active Listening, Monitoring, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand earn?
The median annual wage for Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand is $38,940, 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 Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand?
The typical entry-level education for Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand is No formal educational credential. 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 Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand?
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand 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).