AI exposure score

Parts Salespersons

Parts Salespersons score 34 out of 100, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks #481 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 19 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 3 on its own and 6 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 5 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

34/ 100

Moderate

Rank: #481of 923 jobs
US workers: 270,070BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $38,630a year
In real AI use: 5 of 19tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 3 (16%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 6 (32%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 10 (53%)

Read catalogs, microfiche viewers, or computer displays to determine replacement part stock numbers and prices.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Discuss use and features of various parts, based on knowledge of machines or equipment.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Receive and fill telephone orders for parts.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Fill customer orders from stock, and place orders when requested items are out of stock.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Determine replacement parts required, according to inspections of old parts, customer requests, or customers' descriptions of malfunctions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Assist customers, such as responding to customer complaints and updating them about back-ordered parts.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Manage shipments by researching shipping methods or costs and tracking packages.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Advise customers on substitution or modification of parts when identical replacements are not available.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Receive payment or obtain credit authorization.Little or no AI speed-up · core task · Seen in real AI use
Locate and label parts, and maintain inventory of stock.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Mark and store parts in stockrooms, according to prearranged systems.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Pick up and deliver parts.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Examine returned parts for defects, and exchange defective parts or refund money.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Maintain and clean work and inventory areas.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Place new merchandise on display.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Demonstrate equipment to customers, and explain functioning of equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Measure parts, using precision measuring instruments, to determine whether similar parts may be machined to required sizes.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Repair parts or equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about parts salespersons and AI

Will AI replace parts salespersons?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Parts Salespersons score 34 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #481 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 9 of the job's 19 tasks, 3 of them on its own, while 10 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which parts salespersons tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Read catalogs, microfiche viewers, or computer displays to determine replacement part stock numbers and prices"; "Prepare sales slips or sales contracts"; "Discuss use and features of various parts, based on knowledge of machines or equipment".

Which parts salespersons tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Receive payment or obtain credit authorization"; "Locate and label parts, and maintain inventory of stock"; "Mark and store parts in stockrooms, according to prearranged systems".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 5 of the 19 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as parts salespersons, and what do they earn?

About 270,070 people in the US, with median pay of $38,630 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.