Packers and packagers, hand
SOC Code: 53-7064
Packers and packagers, hand carries a 41% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $35,580 and -5.4% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 591,800 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 41% AI exposure, Packers and packagers, hand sits 4 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 71% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Packers and packagers, hand sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Packers and packagers, hand has ai exposure of 41%. 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.
Packers and packagers, hand vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Packers and packagers, hand 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
Packers and packagers, hand (SOC 53-7064) carries an AI exposure score of 41%, placing it in the High 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 in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 591,800 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -5.4% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $35,580, 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 Packers and packagers, 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. Examine and inspect containers, materials, or products to ensure that product quality and packing specifications are met.
- 2. Measure, weigh, and count products and materials.
- 3. Remove completed or defective products or materials, placing them on moving equipment, such as conveyors, or in specified areas, such as loading docks.
- 4. Record product, packaging, and order information on specified forms and records.
- 5. Seal containers or materials, using glues, fasteners, nails, and hand tools.
- 6. Assemble, line, and pad cartons, crates, and containers, using hand tools.
- 7. Obtain, move, and sort products, materials, containers, and orders, using hand tools.
- 8. Place or pour products or materials into containers, using hand tools and equipment, or fill containers from spouts or chutes.
- 9. Mark and label containers, container tags, or products, using marking tools.
- 10. Load materials and products into package processing equipment.
Key Skills Required
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Coordination
- Quality Control Analysis
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Time Management
- Active Learning
Knowledge Areas
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Administrative
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
- Mechanical
- Computers and Electronics
- Chemistry
- Transportation
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Packers and packagers, hand?
Packers and packagers, hand has an AI exposure score of 41%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Packers and packagers, hand?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Packers and packagers, hand is projected to decline by 5.4% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 591,800 workers.
What skills are needed for Packers and packagers, hand?
Key skills for Packers and packagers, hand include Monitoring, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Packers and packagers, hand earn?
The median annual wage for Packers and packagers, hand is $35,580, 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 Packers and packagers, hand?
The typical entry-level education for Packers and packagers, 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 Packers and packagers, hand?
Packers and packagers, 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
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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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).