Material recording clerks keep records of goods that are shipped, received, stored or moved. They include production, planning and expediting clerks; shipping, receiving and inventory clerks; and clerks who weigh, measure and check incoming materials. Much of the record keeping is already done with barcodes and software, and the BLS expects warehouse automation to reduce demand.
The short answer: moderate exposure, with a decline projected. The ILO's 2025 index gives the closest groups scores from 0.37 to 0.50, with transport clerks in gradient 3. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6 percent decline from 2025 to 2035, with about 98,600 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed material recording clerks are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Transport Clerks | Gradient 3 | 0.50 |
| Production Clerks | Gradient 2 | 0.44 |
| Stock Clerks | Minimal exposure | 0.37 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so this is the closest group for each type of material recording clerk, not a score for the job title itself.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Material recording clerks | Decline 6% | About 98,600 |
The BLS says that as e-commerce grows, companies are expanding their use of automated storage and retrieval tools. It names radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and collaborative robots as technologies that will make warehouse operations more efficient and reduce demand for various material recording clerks. All projected openings come from replacing workers who leave or retire.
What automation is taking on
- Tracking items with barcodes and RFID tags instead of manual counts.
- Storing and retrieving goods with automated systems.
- Updating inventory records and reports in software as goods move.
What stays with material recording clerks
- Exceptions: damaged goods, missing items and records that do not match.
- Inspection: checking products for damage or defects.
- Coordination: keeping production schedules and deliveries on track with other teams.
- Checking AI help: generated reports and counts can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
As tracking and storage become automated, the work moves toward handling exceptions and keeping data accurate. Clerks who are comfortable with inventory software and scanning systems are better placed. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace warehouse workers?, will AI replace logistics jobs? and will AI replace data entry?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for material recording clerks at $47,600 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: high school diploma or equivalent. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace material recording clerks?
The BLS projects a 6 percent decline from 2025 to 2035, citing automated storage and retrieval, RFID tags and collaborative robots.
How exposed are material recording clerks to AI?
The closest ILO groups score from 0.37 for stock clerks to 0.50 for transport clerks, which is gradient 3.
Are there still openings?
Yes. The BLS projects about 98,600 openings a year, all from replacing workers who leave or retire.
What types of clerks are included?
Production, planning and expediting clerks; shipping, receiving and inventory clerks; and material and product inspecting clerks.