Parts salespersons
SOC Code: 41-2022
Parts salespersons carries a 38% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $37,440 and +3.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 272,100 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
Parts salespersons (SOC 41-2022) carries an AI exposure score of 38%, 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 272,100 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.1% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $37,440, 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 Parts salespersons. 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. Receive payment or obtain credit authorization.
- 2. Assist customers, such as responding to customer complaints and updating them about back-ordered parts.
- 3. Fill customer orders from stock, and place orders when requested items are out of stock.
- 4. Receive and fill telephone orders for parts.
- 5. Locate and label parts, and maintain inventory of stock.
- 6. Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.
- 7. Read catalogs, microfiche viewers, or computer displays to determine replacement part stock numbers and prices.
- 8. Determine replacement parts required, according to inspections of old parts, customer requests, or customers' descriptions of malfunctions.
- 9. Examine returned parts for defects, and exchange defective parts or refund money.
- 10. Manage shipments by researching shipping methods or costs and tracking packages.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Persuasion
- Reading Comprehension
- Service Orientation
- Social Perceptiveness
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Judgment and Decision Making
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Economics and Accounting
- Production and Processing
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Mathematics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Parts salespersons?
Parts salespersons has an AI exposure score of 38%, 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 Parts salespersons?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Parts salespersons is projected to grow by 3.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 272,100 workers.
What skills are needed for Parts salespersons?
Key skills for Parts salespersons include Active Listening, Speaking, Persuasion, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Parts salespersons earn?
The median annual wage for Parts salespersons is $37,440, 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 Parts salespersons?
The typical entry-level education for Parts salespersons is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Parts salespersons?
Parts salespersons 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.
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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).