SOC 51-3000
Food Processing Workers
Risk Score
⚠️37/100
Moderate
US Employment
👥857,260
Total workers
Median Wage
💰$38K
$29K – $52K
Projected Growth
📈+4.5%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
🤖35/100
Moderate exposure
💡 Food Processing Workers face a risk score of 37/100 — 7 points below the national average of 44. With only 35/100 GenAI exposure, most core tasks remain resistant to current AI capabilities. See our methodology →
💡 Workers in this field earn $38K. The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths →
🔍 AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 37/100, Food Processing Workers faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like predictive maintenance reducing manual inspection roles are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 857,260 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in troubleshooting complex equipment malfunctions and quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Food Processing Workers?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths →
⚠️ Top Risk Factors
Predictive maintenance reducing manual inspection roles
AI quality inspection via computer vision systems
Industrial robotics replacing manual assembly tasks
🛡️ Tasks Safe from Automation
Troubleshooting complex equipment malfunctions
Quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection
Setup and calibration of custom production runs
Coordinating workflow across diverse production teams
📊 vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
🔄 Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineers | 20 | $106K | 59% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | 25 | $62K | 69% |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | 33 | $68K | 83% |