Career Explorer Production
Human edge, growing
Food processing workers, all other
All food processing workers not listed separately.
Among the most resilient careers: more resilient than 86% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +5.5% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on physical dexterity.
AI struggles with much of this work, and US employers are expected to hire more people into it than average.
- Median pay (2025)
- $39,680
- Job growth to 2035
- +5.5%
- Openings a year
- 7,400
- People doing it (2025)
- 67,400
- Usual route in
- No formal credential, then moderate on-the-job training
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Semiconductor processing techniciansHuman edge, growing, Index 87, +8.2%
- Packaging and filling machine operators and tendersHuman edge, growing, Index 91, +4.1%
- Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleanersHuman edge, growing, Index 93, +7.8%
- Cooling and freezing equipment operators and tendersHuman edge, growing, Index 90, +5.9%
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.