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Profession JRI–59 / Logistics & Warehousing

Will AI replace stockers and order fillers?

Stockers and Order Fillers receive, store, and issue merchandise to fill shelves and orders. Core tasks include reading orders for catalog numbers, quantities, and sizes; packing and unpacking items; and storing goods in an orderly manner.

The risk spectrum — where Stocker and Order Filler sits
Stocker and Order Filler vs the 83 other jobs
Risk rank59 / 84
Automation timeline5-10 years
Median salary$37,330
Projected growth+8.5% (2024–34)
01 / Your plan

The skills that keep you relevant.

Picked to match what this role actually asks for — refreshed weekly, never by what a platform pays.

What you'll learn
Customer ServiceForkliftWarehouse Operations
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Updated Sep 21, 2026

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02 / Job market

Official outlook: still growing.

Within the 84 professions
Salary$37,330
$31k$171k
Growth+8.5% (2024–34)
-25.9%33.5%

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a +8.5% change in employment for this occupation between 2024 and 2034, from a current base of 2,833,810 people employed earning a median of $37,330 a year.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–34 & OEWS May 2025.

AI adoption in postings →

JRI demand index / weekly, base 100938
Jul 13Sep 7

Collected weekly through our own intake pipeline across live job postings; normalised index, not absolute counts.

03 / Real salaries

Stocker and Order Filler salaries by city

Median pay from real records (H-1B filings and tech job postings), across the cities with most observations.

Oklahoma City$41,912Houston$42,640Los Angeles$44,720Chicago$46,800New York$42,380Fresno$41,600

Range shows p25–p75; the dot is the median. Sources carry a documented bias — see the full salary page.

See real salaries →

04 / How to enter

How to become a stocker and order filler.

Typical preparation

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed.

Job training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Getting in is one thing — the day-to-day runs on a specific set of tools and skills:

Foundations
Core skills

Full skill path with courses →

07 / FAQ

What people ask.

01Will AI replace stockers and order fillers?
Automation risk is medium, with a score of 46 and a 5-10 year timeline for change. Routine order processing and inventory tracking are automated, yet stacking and retrieving items remain physical, and inspecting damage needs judgment. Team coordination also keeps a human role.
02How soon could AI affect Stockers and Order Fillers?
Automation effects are expected to unfold within 5-10 years, based on the evidence. Physical stocking and retrieval tasks remain manual, so near-term change centers on inventory software. The occupation currently employs 2,833,810 people, which makes the timeline a key consideration.
03What skills keep Stockers and Order Fillers relevant?
Proficiency in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software is a high-demand skill, while active listening and service orientation are medium-demand. Reading comprehension and monitoring also appear among entry-level skills. Attention to detail for quality checks and adaptability to non-standard requests further support relevance.
04What preparation is needed to become a Stocker and Order Filler?
A high school diploma is typically expected for these positions. Active listening, reading comprehension, and monitoring are cited as entry-level skills. Direct entry is possible without a degree, and familiarity with SAP, Microsoft Excel, or inventory management systems would help new workers adapt quickly.
05Which related roles could Stockers and Order Fillers pivot to?
Retail Salespersons appear as a natural alternative, scoring 41 on the risk index. Working with shelves and orders can translate to customer-facing retail duties, using service orientation and reading comprehension. The shift to retail sales could offer a contrasting daily routine while keeping similar logistics fundamentals.
06Is Stocker and Order Filler a good career to start in 2026?
Earnings for Stockers and Order Fillers sit at a median of $37,330, and growth is +8.5% (2024‒34). The automation risk is medium, with changes expected within 5-10 years, so anyone starting in 2026 should weigh the need to build software and coordination skills for adaptability.
07What tools and tasks define the daily work of Stockers and Order Fillers?
Daily work includes reading orders for catalog numbers, colors, sizes, and quantities, then packing or unpacking merchandise and storing it in an orderly manner. Tools such as SAP software, Microsoft Excel, and warehouse management systems are common. Completing order receipts and inspecting stock for damage are also frequent tasks.