For years, the same question keeps coming up: Will automation eventually take over warehouse work? With robotics, automated storage systems, and AI forecasting becoming the new normal, it’s easy to assume machines are set to replace people.
But step into any active distribution center, and you’ll see: automation is transforming the work, not eliminating the workers. If anything, the trend for warehouse worker demand continues to climb, especially for those who can operate confidently alongside new technologies.
In fact, employment in the U.S. transportation and warehousing sector, which includes warehousing and storage, has increased by 21 percent since the pre-pandemic 2019 level.¹
Below is a closer look at why demand remains strong, what skills matter most now, and how Horizon America is helping warehouse workers and employers succeed in a more tech-enabled future.
Read more: Manufacturing Talent Trends
Is Automation Replacing Warehouse Jobs?
The idea that automation will “take all the jobs” comes up often, but it doesn’t reflect what’s happening on the ground.
Modern warehouses use autonomous mobile robots, RFID tracking, and automated picking systems to handle repetitive, high-volume tasks. These tools increase productivity and reduce physical strain, allowing teams to focus on higher-value work.
But even the most advanced facilities still rely on people. The jobs aren’t disappearing; they’re shifting.
Automation reduces repetitive labor, not workforce size.
Robots can transport pallets or assist with basic picking. But humans still handle oversight: setting up workflows, managing exceptions, troubleshooting errors, calibrating equipment, and stepping in when a system hits something it wasn’t trained for.
McKinsey projects robot shipments could increase by up to 50 percent annually through 2030, with warehouse automation growing by more than 10 percent each year.² That growth in automation reflects more machines, not fewer roles.
More technology means new job categories.
Many warehouses now have hybrid roles where workers both operate machinery and manage digital tools. Instead of removing jobs, automation is creating new pathways, such as equipment coordinators, inventory-control specialists, and warehouse technicians comfortable with technology.
Human judgment remains essential.
From resolving damaged items to adapting to last-minute order changes, there are decisions machines can’t make. Technology handles what is predictable; people handle what is unexpected. Automation is making warehouses smarter. Skilled workers are what make them operational.
What Skills Are in Demand in 2026?
Warehouse talent today needs more than physical capability. Employers increasingly look for individuals who can blend adaptability, digital competence, and safety awareness.
1. Digital Literacy
Workers don’t need advanced tech backgrounds, but they do need to feel comfortable using scanners, tablets, automated systems, and inventory software. Being able to learn new tools quickly is now one of the most important skills in the industry. Many roles will increasingly combine human judgment and digital tools.³
2. Problem-Solving and Adaptability
Automation accelerates workflow, but it can’t foresee every disruption. Workers who adjust quickly and think on their feet are essential to maintaining productivity in dynamic environments.
3. Safety Awareness
Even with automation reducing some physical hazards, warehousing remains a high-risk environment. OSHA notes that warehousing and storage facilities have historically recorded injury rates around 4.8 per 100 full-time workers—higher than the private-industry average.⁴ As environments become more complex, safety-aware workers become even more valuable.
4. Communication and Team Coordination
Robotics and machines operate within set parameters; people must coordinate across departments, communicate changes, and keep operations aligned. Good communication builds strong shifts and can prevent costly downtime.
5. Equipment Operation
Forklift certification, pallet jack proficiency, and familiarity with material-handling machinery remain in demand. Even in highly automated warehouses, certified human operators anchor the flow of goods.
Warehouse work may look different than it did even a few years ago, but the core expectation holds steady: show up ready to learn, ready to contribute, and ready to grow.
Horizon America’s Role in a Changing Industry
As automation evolves, both workers and employers need a partner who understands how roles are shifting. Horizon America bridges that gap by connecting adaptable, safety-ready warehouse talent with the facilities that depend on them. As warehouse worker demand increases, our goal is to align your business and ensure you only employ skilled individuals.
We Match Workers to the Right Environment
Automation varies greatly from one warehouse to another. We place candidates where their skills, comfort level, and growth path align with the job.
We Work with Employers Who Invest in Their Teams
Companies that adopt automation often need workers who can grow with new technology. Horizon America partners with employers who prioritize training, safety, and workforce development.
We Help Workers Navigate Tech-Enabled Environments
Between digital tools, safety protocols, and tech-enabled logistics, we help warehouse workers prepare for the demands of modern warehousing with real-world readiness and adaptability.
We Understand the Future of Warehouse Work
Automation is expanding, but so is the need for reliable people. Horizon America sees both sides, helping job seekers find meaningful opportunities while helping employers build strong, adaptable teams.
Build your future in today’s tech-driven workplace as warehouse worker demand rises with Horizon America.
Technology might transform the tools we use, but it doesn’t change the fact that people keep warehouses running. Whether you’re a job seeker ready for your next opportunity or a logistics leader building a dependable team, Horizon America is here to support your next step.
Reach out today and let’s shape the future of logistics together.
References
- “April 2025 U.S. Transportation Sector Unemployment (3.6%) Falls Below the April 2024 Level (4.7%) And the Pre-Pandemic April 2019 Level (3.7%).” Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2 May 2025, https://www.bts.gov/newsroom/april-2025-us-transportation-sector-unemployment-36-falls-below-april-2024-level-47.
- Davies, Alan et al. “Getting warehouse automation right.” McKinsey, 1 Dec. 2023, https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/getting-warehouse-automation-right
- Yee, Lareina et al. “Agents, robots, and us: Skill partnerships in the age of AI.” McKinsey, 25 Nov. 2025, https://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/our-research/agents-robots-and-us-skill-partnerships-in-the-age-of-ai
- “US Department of Labor launches 5-year initiative in Mid-Atlantic states to reduce worker injuries, illnesses in warehousing, storage, distribution yards.” Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 17 Aug. 2022, https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/region3/08172022
