Will production helpers be replaced by AI?
Updated
Production helpers score 19 of 100 for AI exposure. 77% of their task time still needs a person. AI can do 3% today and speed up another 20%.
- 3% AI can do it
- 20% AI helps
- 77% Needs a person
Low exposure
Lower than 82% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 30 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can do 1 of them today, speeds up 6 and leaves 23 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Record information, such as the number of products tested, meter readings, or dates and times of product production. Digital logging of counts, readings, and timestamps is routine. | 75% AI can do it |
| Read gauges or charts, and record data obtained. Gauge reading can be automated, recording data is digital. | 55% AI helps |
| Count finished products to determine if product orders are complete. Scanners and vision can count, person verifies completeness. | 45% AI helps |
| Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards. Vision systems can flag defects, but person handles inspection. | 40% AI helps |
| Measure amounts of products, lengths of extruded articles, or weights of filled containers to ensure conformance to specifications. Scales and sensors measure, software can record results. | 40% AI helps |
| Mark or tag identification on parts. Label printers and software help, hand tagging is physical. | 35% AI helps |
| Observe equipment operations so that malfunctions can be detected, and notify operators of any malfunctions. Sensors and software can monitor, but person observes and alerts. | 30% AI helps |
| Separate products according to weight, grade, size, or composition of materials used to produce them. Physical sorting by weight, size, and grade. | 20% Needs a person |
| Mix ingredients according to specified procedures or formulas. Physical handling of ingredients, though recipes can be automated. | 15% Needs a person |
| Pack and store materials and products. Physical packing; storage planning could be software assisted. | 12% Needs a person |
Show the other 20 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Prepare raw materials for processing. Physical prep of raw materials like cutting and weighing. | 12% Needs a person |
| Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators. Hands-on machine operation needs physical presence and skill. | 10% Needs a person |
| Start machines or equipment to begin production processes. Physically starting machines and equipment on the floor. | 10% Needs a person |
| Turn valves to regulate flow of liquids or air, to reverse machines, to start pumps, or to regulate equipment. Manually turning valves and controls on equipment. | 10% Needs a person |
| Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances. Physical loading and unloading of machines and vehicles. | 8% Needs a person |
| Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping. Physically placing products on equipment or work surfaces. | 8% Needs a person |
| Tie products in bundles for further processing or shipment, following prescribed procedures. Physical bundling and tying of products. | 8% Needs a person |
| Perform minor repairs to machines, such as replacing damaged or worn parts. Hands-on part replacement; AI only gives guidance. | 8% Needs a person |
| Break up defective products for reprocessing. Physically breaking up defective products. | 8% Needs a person |
| Transfer finished products, raw materials, tools, or equipment between storage and work areas of plants and warehouses, by hand or using hand trucks or powered lift trucks. Moving goods manually or forklift; physical transport. | 6% Needs a person |
| Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill, such as supplying or holding materials or tools, or cleaning work areas and equipment. Hands-on support like holding materials and tools. | 6% Needs a person |
| Cut or break flashing from materials or products. Hand trimming of flash from parts. | 6% Needs a person |
| Remove products, machine attachments, or waste material from machines. Physically removing products, attachments, and waste from machines. | 5% Needs a person |
| Signal coworkers to direct them to move products during the production process. Live spoken or gestured coordination on the floor. | 5% Needs a person |
| Clean and lubricate equipment. Hands-on cleaning and lubrication of machinery. | 4% Needs a person |
| Position spouts or chutes of storage bins so that containers can be filled. Physically positioning chutes and spouts on bins. | 4% Needs a person |
| Wash work areas, machines, equipment, vehicles, or products. Physical washing of equipment, vehicles, and areas. | 4% Needs a person |
| Lift raw materials, finished products, and packed items, manually or using hoists. Manual and hoist lifting of heavy goods. | 3% Needs a person |
| Unclamp and hoist full reels from braiding, winding, or other fabricating machines, using power hoists. Physically unclamping and hoisting heavy reels. | 3% Needs a person |
| Attach slings, ropes, or cables to objects such as pipes, hoses, or bundles. Safety-critical physical rigging of loads. | 3% Needs a person |
How production helpers compare
All occupations (923)
Production (107)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $39,070 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 165,700 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- -8.2% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Check order completeness against records in SAP software
- Log gauge readings and counts in Microsoft Excel
- Rig loads with slings, ropes, and cables safely
- Clean and lubricate production machinery on schedule
- Verify flagged defects during product inspection
- Mark parts with label printer identification tags
Safer roles nearby
5 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about production helpers and AI
Will AI replace production helpers?
Partly. About 2 in 10 of a production helper's working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly recording counts and readings. Lifting, rigging, and cleaning stay with people because they need hands on heavy goods and machines.
Which tasks will AI take from production helpers?
Recording counts, meter readings, and timestamps is the most exposed task, with an exposure score of 75, because digital logging handles it without a person. Reading gauges and charts comes next at 55, since gauge reading can be automated and the data goes straight into digital records. Scanners also count finished products, at 45.
Which production helper tasks stay human?
Lifting raw materials and finished goods stays with people, with an exposure score of 3, because heavy loads need manual handling or power hoists. Attaching slings, ropes, or cables to pipes and bundles also scores 3, since rigging errors create safety risk. Washing equipment and cleaning work areas scores 4 because it needs hands on machines.
How can production helpers stay valuable?
Learn to check scanner counts against order records in SAP software, since a person still confirms completeness. Keep gauge readings and defect flags logged in Microsoft Excel so the production lead can review exceptions. Get trained and signed off on sling and hoist rigging, the physical work that stays with qualified people.
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