Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
Every task in this role, whether it passes the census's structural hand-over screen, which models pass it, and why. It is a screen, not a claim about what AI can do: a task can pass and still be beyond the systems of the day. The stricter and looser rules re-vote every task, and small differences between roles are noise.
Passes the screen · 6 of 17 tasks
Distribute production schedules or work orders to departments.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 10.1% of the role's time · $2.3B · passed by Claude Sonnet, GPT-6 Sol · the models disagreed
Compile information, such as production rates and progress, materials inventories, materials used, or customer information, so that status reports can be completed.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 6.3% of the role's time · $1.5B · all three pass it
Record production data, including volume produced, consumption of raw materials, or quality control measures.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 4.5% of the role's time · $1.0B · all three pass it
Maintain files, such as maintenance records, bills of lading, or cost reports.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 3.9% of the role's time · $905M · all three pass it
Calculate figures, such as required amounts of labor or materials, manufacturing costs, or wages, using pricing schedules, adding machines, calculators, or computers.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 3.9% of the role's time · $903M · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Contact suppliers to verify shipment details.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 3.4% of the role's time · $794M · passed by Claude Sonnet, GPT-6 Sol · the models disagreed
Does not pass
Confer with department supervisors or other personnel to assess progress and discuss needed changes.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 9.4% of the role's time · $2.2B
Arrange for delivery, assembly, or distribution of supplies or parts to expedite flow of materials and meet production schedules.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked · 9.1% of the role's time · $2.1B
Revise production schedules when required due to design changes, labor or material shortages, backlogs, or other interruptions, collaborating with management, marketing, sales, production, or engineering.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 8.1% of the role's time · $1.9B
Review documents, such as production schedules, work orders, or staffing tables, to determine personnel or materials requirements or material priorities.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 7.4% of the role's time · $1.7B · waiting on a check
Confer with establishment personnel, vendors, or customers to coordinate production or shipping activities and to resolve complaints or eliminate delays.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 7.3% of the role's time · $1.7B
Requisition and maintain inventories of materials or supplies necessary to meet production demands.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked · 7.3% of the role's time · $1.7B · passed by Claude Sonnet · the models disagreed
Plan production commitments or timetables for business units, specific programs, or jobs, using sales forecasts.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 6.3% of the role's time · $1.4B
Examine documents, materials, or products and monitor work processes to assess completeness, accuracy, and conformance to standards and specifications.
physical work, outside the screen · 4.7% of the role's time · $1.1B
Compile and prepare documentation related to production sequences, transportation, personnel schedules, or purchase, maintenance, or repair orders.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 4.6% of the role's time · $1.1B · passed by Claude Sonnet · the models disagreed · waiting on a check
Establish and prepare product construction directions and locations and information on required tools, materials, equipment, numbers of workers needed, and cost projections.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 2.3% of the role's time · $542M
Provide documentation and information to account for delays, difficulties, or changes to cost estimates.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 1.5% of the role's time · $337M · waiting on a check
Where this role works
| Industry | Workers | Wage bill | Passes the screen | All three pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 18,180 | $1.2B | $399M | $182M |
| Warehousing and Storage | 14,550 | $765M | $245M | $112M |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 9300 | $577M | $185M | $84.5M |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | 8850 | $575M | $184M | $84.1M |
| Employment Services | 10,730 | $547M | $176M | $80.1M |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 7020 | $503M | $161M | $73.7M |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 6980 | $495M | $159M | $72.5M |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 8780 | $474M | $152M | $69.4M |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | 6140 | $468M | $150M | $68.6M |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) | 7760 | $443M | $142M | $64.8M |