Yes, the market will shift—but perhaps for the better.
Automation, robotics, and AI are under fire for “destroying” American jobs. The fear is real, but the reality is this: If done correctly, automation can empower the American worker to make U.S. businesses more competitive on the global stage.
Automation is expanding rapidly, especially in warehouse and logistics operations. Research firm LogisticsIQ predicts the market—already worth $15 billion—will balloon to $55 billion by 2030. Pressure to automate is high, and companies are moving fast.
Here’s the irony: The real challenge in 2025 isn’t a lack of jobs. It’s a lack of workers.
Why is labor so hard to find?
Robert Sterling, an M&A expert and advisor to our company, Chang Robotics, explained the paradox at our recent annual meeting. For lower-wage, hourly positions, turnover is currently running at an average of 1.0 (hiring anew for each position an average of once a year), and some roles are turning over even more quickly.
Constant rehiring drains money and time. Training cycles never end, causing companies to struggle in matching labor supply with demand. For workers, the result is equally bleak: Roles feel temporary and transactional. High injury rates, absenteeism, and quality issues create a vicious cycle that hits profitability hard.
A shift is happening
But there’s good news. Sterling also pointed out a key shift as workers and unions are starting to see automation not as a threat but as a lifeline. The message is finally sinking in that automation can mean more job security, not less.
Investing in robotics and AI drives both efficiency and value. Done right, it creates a virtuous cycle, as follows:
Companies invest in tech.
Workers see the investment and experience the training.
Employees feel valued and motivated.
They stick around to rise on the career ladder.
When companies pair automation with upskilling, they transform entry-level jobs into long-term opportunities. For example, a warehouse worker trained in robotic systems or programming gains pride in their role and a pathway to upward mobility.
Automation is also drawing Gen Z into industries and roles they’ve previously dismissed as “too manual.” These incoming employees aren’t interested in low-tech, repetitive work. But managing the technology behind the products? That’s a different story.
The bottom line
Far from destroying jobs, automation has the potential to rebuild the labor market in 2025 and beyond. Companies gain efficiency and stability. Workers gain skills, pride, and careers. It’s a win for everyone.
About Inc. Magazine:
Inc. Magazine is a premier business media brand dedicated to inspiring and informing entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators. Renowned for its focus on growth, leadership, and the stories behind successful companies, Inc. highlights transformative ideas and influential voices across industries. We’re excited to share that Chang Robotics’ founder, Matthew Chang, is now a contributing author, bringing insights on robotics, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership to their readership.
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