Will parts salespersons be replaced by AI?
Updated
Parts salespersons score 38 of 100 for AI exposure. 51% of their task time still needs a person. AI can do 16% today and speed up another 33%.
- 16% AI can do it
- 33% AI helps
- 51% Needs a person
Moderate exposure
Higher than 50% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 19 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can do 3 of them today, speeds up 6 and leaves 10 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Prepare sales slips or sales contracts. POS software generates sales slips from order data easily. | 75% AI can do it |
| Read catalogs, microfiche viewers, or computer displays to determine replacement part stock numbers and prices. Catalog and price lookups are routine digital work for software. | 70% AI can do it |
| Manage shipments by researching shipping methods or costs and tracking packages. Rate shopping and tracking are software tasks AI handles well. | 70% AI can do it |
| Determine replacement parts required, according to inspections of old parts, customer requests, or customers' descriptions of malfunctions. AI matches descriptions to parts; physical inspection needs a person. | 55% AI helps |
| Discuss use and features of various parts, based on knowledge of machines or equipment. AI can explain part uses and features from catalog data. | 55% AI helps |
| Receive and fill telephone orders for parts. Voice AI can take phone orders; physical fulfillment remains. | 50% AI helps |
| Advise customers on substitution or modification of parts when identical replacements are not available. AI can suggest compatible substitutes from fitment data quickly. | 50% AI helps |
| Assist customers, such as responding to customer complaints and updating them about back-ordered parts. AI drafts replies and backorder updates; tense talks stay human. | 45% AI helps |
| Fill customer orders from stock, and place orders when requested items are out of stock. Picking stock is physical; reorders can be automated in software. | 30% AI helps |
| Locate and label parts, and maintain inventory of stock. Shelf work is physical; software can track stock levels. | 20% Needs a person |
Show the other 9 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Examine returned parts for defects, and exchange defective parts or refund money. Inspecting returned parts is physical; refund rules can be automated. | 20% Needs a person |
| Receive payment or obtain credit authorization. Card and cash handling is physical; software only authorizes payment. | 15% Needs a person |
| Mark and store parts in stockrooms, according to prearranged systems. Putting parts on shelves is physical work done by people. | 15% Needs a person |
| Demonstrate equipment to customers, and explain functioning of equipment. Demonstrating running equipment needs physical presence and handling. | 12% Needs a person |
| Measure parts, using precision measuring instruments, to determine whether similar parts may be machined to required sizes. Precision measurement with instruments is physical work for people. | 8% Needs a person |
| Place new merchandise on display. Arranging merchandise on display is physical work. | 5% Needs a person |
| Repair parts or equipment. Repairing parts and equipment is skilled physical work. | 5% Needs a person |
| Maintain and clean work and inventory areas. Cleaning work areas is manual labor done by people. | 3% Needs a person |
| Pick up and deliver parts. Driving and delivering parts is physical work requiring people. | 3% Needs a person |
How parts salespersons compare
All occupations (923)
Sales and related (22)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $38,630 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 270,070 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- +3.0% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Inspect worn parts before confirming replacement part numbers
- Measure parts with precision instruments to confirm machining sizes
- Run inventory control system software for stock counts and reorders
- Demonstrate running equipment to customers in person on site
- Manage special orders and margins in Microsoft Excel
Safer roles nearby
5 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about parts salespersons and AI
Will AI replace parts salespersons?
Partly. About 3 in 10 of a parts salesperson's working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly preparing sales slips and looking up catalog prices and stock numbers. Inspecting worn parts, demonstrating equipment, and handling parts physically stay with people.
Which parts salesperson tasks will AI take over first?
Sales slips and contracts score 75 on exposure, the highest in this job. POS software builds them directly from order data, so the paperwork moves to software first. Catalog price lookups and shipment rate shopping both score 70 because they are routine digital work.
Which parts salesperson tasks stay with people?
Repairing parts scores 5 and measuring parts with precision instruments scores 8. Both need hands on the machine and a person in the room. Demonstrating equipment scores 12, and picking up and delivering parts scores 3, so these also stay with people.
How can parts salespersons stay valuable as AI spreads?
Check AI-generated orders against SAP and inventory control system records before parts ship. Keep the inspection step by examining worn parts before quoting replacements. Demonstrate equipment in person, and handle phone orders that need fitment questions answered.
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