The application of industrial robots has promoted the high-quality development of China’s economy, but its differentiated impact on various job positions is an important issue that urgently needs attention in the process of China’s common prosperity. Leveraging data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) and the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey (CLDS), this paper empirically examines the impact of industrial robot applications on China’s labor skill structure from the perspective of position skill requirements. The findings reveal that the application of industrial robots reduces the skill requirements of routine positions through the labor control effect, and reduces the skill requirements of routine positions and increases the skill requirements of non-routine positions through the task creation effect, leading to a polarization of China’s labor skill structure. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that strategies such as flexible employment and social task embedding help mitigate the labor control effect; obtaining skill certificates, signing long-term contracts, and enhancing labor security help narrow the differential impact of the task creation effect. Further study finds that, nearly 79.4% of individuals who previously engaged in routine industrial positions and experienced job mobility have transitioned to other industries with less skill acquisition time. Moreover, the application of industrial robots has led to adverse consequences, including polarization of wage income, job respect, and promotion opportunity. The conclusions drawn in this paper contribute to alleviating the polarization of China’s labor skill structure and promoting full and high-quality employment.