Which Jobs Face the Highest Risk of Automation, and Which Ones Are Likely Safe?

Automation is creeping into workplaces faster than ever, and not all jobs are built to survive the shift. A recent analysis by WillRobotTakeMyJob ranks 100 occupations that face the greatest risk of being replaced by machines, alongside 100 that appear safer, at least for now. The study uses machine learning models trained on U.S. Department of Labor data to estimate how likely a job is to be automated based on the skills, knowledge, and complexity it demands.

Top automation risks hit warehouse, clerical, and machine jobs; safest roles involve therapy, strategy, or medicine.

The results don't just show who might be vulnerable, but also who’s likely to keep a human edge in the age of artificial intelligence.

Where Automation Hits Hardest

Jobs that repeat the same steps each day, rely on limited decision-making, or involve manual labor in structured environments have the highest odds of being automated. Many of the top-ranked high-risk jobs involve physical tasks or simple data handling.

  • Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors top the list with a 100% risk score. They earn around $45,760 and face slow job growth.
  • Packers and Packagers earn even less, roughly $34,800, and also hold a perfect risk rating. Like many warehouse roles, their work is predictable and easy to program.
  • Machine Feeders, Offbearers, and Freight Laborers also fall into this category. They’re already being replaced by robotics in factories and fulfillment centers.

Other occupations flagged include dredge operators, billing clerks, shoe machine operators, and title examiners. These roles typically carry lower wages, ranging between $35,000 and $55,000, and have little demand for personal judgment or creative thinking.

Even jobs that once seemed secure, like credit analysts and customer service reps, now face high exposure. AI can quickly learn patterns in credit risk or handle scripted client queries, often more efficiently than a person can.

#OccupationRisk levelJob scoreRisk level (voted)Median wage (USD)Projected growth (by 2031)
1Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors100.00%2.2/1071.27%45,7602.30%
2Packers and Packagers, Hand100.00%1.6/1076.89%34,830-4.20%
3Machine Feeders and Offbearers100.00%1.1/1081.25%39,250-12.70%
4Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand100.00%2.7/1078.21%37,6604.20%
5Fallers100.00%1.8/1058.33%53,170-8.40%
6Dredge Operators100.00%2.7/1078.57%50,4402.10%
7Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders100.00%0.4/1091.16%36,970-13.60%
8Credit Analysts100.00%3.0/1068.90%79,420-3.90%
9Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers100.00%2.9/1054.49%53,5501.00%
10Billing and Posting Clerks100.00%2.2/1081.08%45,5900.50%
11Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners100.00%2.3/1077.42%63,9401.80%
12Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators100.00%2.2/1072.37%53,440-7.90%
13Cooks, Fast Food100.00%1.4/1074.73%29,260-13.70%
14Postal Service Mail Carriers100.00%3.1/1053.84%56,330-3.00%
15Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks100.00%2.2/1088.89%47,440-5.00%
16Bill and Account Collectors100.00%1.8/1068.18%44,250-9.50%
17Telephone Operators100.00%0.7/1085.88%38,080-26.40%
18Motion Picture Projectionists100.00%0.9/1072.66%35,160-5.00%
19Correspondence Clerks100.00%1.6/1083.33%42,120-6.70%
20Receptionists and Information Clerks100.00%1.8/1082.92%35,840-0.50%
21Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks100.00%1.6/1080.88%48,000-5.20%
22Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service100.00%0.9/1083.70%36,750-25.20%
23Brokerage Clerks100.00%2.4/1058.55%60,150-2.80%
24Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks100.00%3.3/1078.02%53,9004.90%
25Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks100.00%1.8/1074.17%46,900-3.90%
26Proofreaders and Copy Markers100.00%1.6/1070.57%48,790-3.40%
27Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service100.00%1.4/1085.29%36,880-6.20%
28Word Processors and Typists100.00%1.3/1081.45%46,450-38.00%
29Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants100.00%1.9/1075.38%50,680-5.10%
30Order Clerks100.00%1.2/1078.91%41,600-17.90%
31Office Machine Operators, Except Computer100.00%1.0/1082.29%37,450-15.10%
32Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products100.00%1.0/1078.70%34,360-4.70%
33New Accounts Clerks100.00%1.3/1080.85%44,630-14.60%
34Data Entry Keyers100.00%1.1/1090.60%37,790-25.00%
35Food Batchmakers100.00%3.4/1068.52%38,4609.10%
36Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic100.00%3.0/1070.00%44,3902.00%
37Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders100.00%1.4/1077.78%38,5501.00%
38Slaughterers and Meat Packers100.00%1.9/1069.32%38,1601.40%
39Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials100.00%1.0/1073.86%32,240-12.00%
40Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters100.00%2.0/1087.50%48,840-16.30%
41Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers100.00%1.2/1052.14%36,020-11.90%
42Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners100.00%1.8/1075.00%46,410-7.80%
43Gem and Diamond Workers100.00%1.6/1081.25%47,450-3.70%
44Milling and Planning Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic100.00%1.0/1080.95%47,200-12.90%
45Helpers--Production Workers100.00%1.1/1077.82%36,700-8.30%
46Sewing Machine Operators100.00%1.3/1070.24%34,440-13.20%
47Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic100.00%1.8/1070.00%44,620-19.20%
48Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic100.00%2.1/1067.31%42,610-10.70%
49Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic100.00%1.6/1064.06%42,400-11.20%
50Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders100.00%1.6/1067.86%35,530-8.80%
51Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders100.00%1.1/1068.42%37,130-11.80%
52Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders100.00%0.4/1080.71%35,340-10.30%
53Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders100.00%3.5/1086.54%46,1004.30%
54Etchers and Engravers100.00%2.3/1089.58%40,0402.30%
55Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders100.00%2.0/1080.65%39,3404.50%
56Semiconductor Processing Technicians100.00%3.7/1059.78%45,85013.00%
57Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians100.00%2.2/1051.67%37,7201.60%
58Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood100.00%2.4/1077.78%38,000-0.50%
59Tire Builders100.00%2.2/1075.00%54,0803.10%
60Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders100.00%2.3/1056.25%43,540-0.50%
61Cutters and Trimmers, Hand100.00%1.2/1060.53%37,040-18.40%
62Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders100.00%0.8/1064.47%36,620-11.70%
63Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic100.00%1.8/1051.56%47,110-11.40%
64Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks100.00%1.8/1079.91%52,240-15.10%
65Medical Transcriptionists100.00%1.3/1077.31%37,060-4.70%
66Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders99.90%2.7/1068.75%42,6702.70%
67Office Clerks, General99.45%1.8/1077.10%40,480-5.60%
68Judicial Law Clerks99.32%3.1/1052.66%57,4903.40%
69Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders99.26%1.5/1079.41%44,310-2.70%
70Tax Preparers99.13%2.8/1073.44%49,0104.20%
71Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic98.97%2.0/1096.88%49,670-22.20%
72Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic98.36%1.3/1068.75%44,240-9.50%
73Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers98.24%3.8/1075.00%40,4907.20%
74Bridge and Lock Tenders98.20%2.5/1080.00%49,1200.50%
75Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners98.13%1.2/1057.43%29,170-2.40%
76Court, Municipal, and License Clerks97.59%2.7/1066.67%46,1103.80%
77Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing97.54%1.6/1065.38%38,260-2.20%
78Telemarketers97.49%0.9/1090.40%34,480-21.50%
79Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers97.47%3.6/1051.92%43,3105.30%
80Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining97.27%2.5/1060.00%64,070-22.90%
81Parking Attendants97.17%2.4/1081.63%32,8405.30%
82Medical Records Specialists97.09%3.8/1068.94%48,7808.70%
83Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers96.78%2.2/1075.00%44,030-3.10%
84Farm Labor Contractors96.63%2.5/1079.00%45,7306.60%
85Gambling Cage Workers96.46%0.8/1082.95%36,110-3.70%
86Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic96.26%3.6/1077.50%43,3105.30%
87Fast Food and Counter Workers96.21%2.7/1087.56%29,5405.70%
88Logging Equipment Operators96.13%2.1/1061.25%48,240-3.80%
89Couriers and Messengers96.12%3.0/1068.75%36,7108.30%
90Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic95.99%1.0/1077.50%46,990-15.70%
91Financial Clerks95.79%2.0/1086.64%45,790-6.10%
92Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers95.58%1.9/1088.97%29,7802.60%
93Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic95.58%1.8/1076.47%38,870-2.50%
94Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive94.81%2.7/1071.64%44,280-0.30%
95Sewers, Hand94.46%0.7/1074.68%32,240-12.20%
96Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers93.80%2.1/1052.99%40,2301.50%
97Foundry Mold and Coremakers93.73%2.1/1055.00%44,300-24.60%
98Technical Writers93.58%4.0/1055.64%80,0504.00%
99Agricultural Equipment Operators93.56%3.9/1079.17%39,6908.40%
100Cytotechnologists93.55%4.2/1070.00%60,7805.30%

It’s no coincidence that many of these jobs also show weak or negative growth projections through 2031. Technology isn't just changing the way these roles are done, it's starting to phase them out.

The Safer Side of the Job Market

On the flip side, some careers look far less vulnerable. Jobs that involve empathy, creative reasoning, or high-level strategy are proving harder for machines to replicate.

  • Anthropologists and Archeologists are at the very bottom of the automation risk list, showing a 0% risk. Their work depends heavily on interpretation, deep context, and cultural insight.
  • Emergency Management Directors also rank as safe. These professionals coordinate complex responses to disasters, which demand leadership, timing, and judgment.
  • Security Managers, education administrators, and occupational therapists all show no risk of being automated, largely because their work hinges on decision-making and human interaction.

Medical professionals appear repeatedly throughout the low-risk list. Roles like internal medicine physicians, speech-language pathologists, and clinical psychologists not only involve personal care but require careful assessments that can’t be replicated with code. Median wages for these roles are significantly higher, often exceeding $90,000 or even $200,000 in physician roles.
.

#OccupationRisk levelJob scoreRisk level (voted)Median wage (USD)Projected growth (by 2031)
1Anthropologists and Archeologists0.00%7.5/1019.18%63,8007.80%
2Emergency Management Directors0.00%6.4/1036.21%83,9604.00%
3Security Managers0.00%8.0/1025.53%102,3405.30%
4Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary0.00%7.3/1026.12%103,460-0.50%
5Fitness and Wellness Coordinators0.00%5.9/1045.00%57,5706.90%
6Civil Engineers0.00%8.5/1028.04%95,8906.50%
7General Internal Medicine Physicians0.00%7.5/1033.05%223,3103.40%
8Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary0.00%7.0/1028.26%93,6503.80%
9Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary0.00%6.6/1025.00%75,0203.60%
10Occupational Therapists0.00%8.9/1019.39%96,37011.10%
11Clinical Nurse Specialists0.00%8.5/1023.28%86,0706.00%
12First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives0.00%7.8/1019.02%101,7503.80%
13Hospitalists0.00%8.0/1030.15%236,0003.90%
14Neuropsychologists0.00%7.8/1023.19%117,7505.00%
15Neurologists0.00%8.2/1021.89%224,2606.80%
16Psychiatrists0.00%8.6/1025.30%226,8807.60%
17Coaches and Scouts0.00%7.5/1022.33%45,9108.80%
18Chief Executives0.00%8.3/1024.14%206,6805.50%
19Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers0.00%3.6/1033.93%38,980-19.60%
20Urologists0.00%8.5/1021.74%236,0003.90%
21Physical Therapists0.00%9.0/1019.47%99,71014.20%
22Choreographers0.00%6.5/1022.81%52,0005.30%
23Recreational Therapists0.00%6.5/1024.14%57,1204.30%
24Firefighters0.00%7.3/1015.36%57,1204.20%
25First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers0.00%7.5/1026.32%86,2204.20%
26Nurse Anesthetists0.00%8.0/1036.07%212,65010.40%
27Nurse Midwives0.00%8.1/1023.31%129,6507.10%
28Nurse Practitioners0.00%9.0/1028.58%126,26046.30%
29Dentists, General0.00%7.8/1029.95%166,3004.80%
30Physician Assistants0.00%8.7/1030.79%130,02028.50%
31Art Therapists0.00%7.8/1022.46%63,65011.80%
32Music Therapists0.00%7.0/1037.79%63,65011.80%
33Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses0.00%8.5/1012.50%86,0706.00%
34Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians0.00%8.2/1025.74%236,0003.90%
35Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary0.00%7.3/1020.30%80,3602.70%
36Sports Medicine Physicians0.00%8.5/1015.79%236,0003.90%
37Adapted Physical Education Specialists0.00%5.8/1020.45%67,1902.10%
38Preventive Medicine Physicians0.00%7.3/1036.67%236,0003.90%
39Emergency Medical Technicians0.00%7.0/1014.09%38,9306.10%
40Paramedics0.00%7.6/1015.05%53,1805.90%
41Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary0.00%6.9/1035.17%82,1405.00%
42Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary0.00%7.5/1042.65%80,78017.90%
43Midwives0.00%7.4/1016.28%63,6305.80%
44Athletic Trainers0.00%7.5/1027.22%57,93012.70%
45Healthcare Social Workers0.00%8.1/1023.05%62,9409.70%
46Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers0.00%8.0/1011.22%55,96011.60%
47Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary0.00%6.4/1037.96%105,7703.20%
48Architects, Except Landscape and Naval0.00%8.0/1034.55%93,3107.80%
49Landscape Architects0.00%6.7/1036.82%79,3204.70%
50Marriage and Family Therapists0.00%7.7/1025.00%58,51016.20%
51Mental Health Counselors0.00%8.0/1027.51%53,71018.80%
52Clinical Neuropsychologists0.00%7.6/1028.47%117,7505.00%
53Critical Care Nurses0.00%8.5/1023.13%86,0706.00%
54Physicists0.58%8.3/1018.84%155,6807.20%
55Urban and Regional Planners0.64%7.4/1023.31%81,8004.30%
56Chief Sustainability Officers0.84%8.1/1033.33%206,6805.50%
57Farm and Home Management Educators0.92%4.6/1035.71%59,770-1.70%
58Fish and Game Wardens1.08%5.6/1018.53%60,380-5.00%
59Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers1.45%7.8/1028.13%100,7307.40%
60Biologists1.48%7.7/1026.53%91,1005.60%
61Orthotists and Prosthetists1.78%7.5/1033.57%78,10015.10%
62Park Naturalists1.81%7.4/1017.71%68,7505.60%
63Pediatricians, General2.11%7.5/1022.67%198,6902.10%
64Biochemists and Biophysicists2.23%8.0/1030.37%107,4609.00%
65Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors2.41%7.3/1029.60%61,7104.50%
66Environmental Restoration Planners2.49%7.0/1025.00%78,9807.30%
67Soil and Plant Scientists2.78%7.6/1022.37%68,2407.20%
68Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors2.92%7.0/1035.98%46,48013.60%
69Health Education Specialists3.02%6.9/1034.00%62,8607.00%
70Environmental Engineers3.05%8.0/1029.65%100,0906.90%
71Special Education Teachers, Secondary School3.11%6.8/1025.00%66,620-0.60%
72Construction Managers3.15%8.9/1022.64%104,9009.10%
73Naturopathic Physicians3.16%6.4/1039.71%107,9902.60%
74Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary3.54%6.2/1033.33%85,2604.80%
75Clergy3.79%6.5/1010.32%58,9202.50%
76Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors3.94%8.2/1021.57%53,71018.80%
77Chiropractors3.96%8.0/1020.15%76,5309.90%
78Fire Inspectors and Investigators4.15%6.7/1032.69%74,1604.50%
79Exercise Physiologists4.17%6.4/1040.63%54,86010.40%
80Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary4.65%5.7/1035.00%75,7703.40%
81Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary5.15%7.6/1036.00%83,9208.40%
82Directors, Religious Activities and Education5.55%5.7/1030.30%50,1402.20%
83Social and Community Service Managers5.76%8.1/1026.06%77,0308.20%
84Special Education Teachers, Elementary School5.76%6.5/1016.41%64,910-0.70%
85Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten5.76%6.5/1019.05%64,910-0.70%
86Acute Care Nurses5.76%7.4/1015.63%86,0706.00%
87Water/Wastewater Engineers5.81%8.5/1016.25%95,8906.50%
88Curators6.11%7.5/1016.18%61,75012.20%
89Industrial-Organizational Psychologists6.28%7.4/1026.22%147,4205.80%
90Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers6.40%7.4/1017.57%72,2803.90%
91Range Managers6.47%6.2/1044.44%68,7505.60%
92Prosthodontists6.49%6.5/1041.07%234,0003.50%
93Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare6.56%5.7/1023.53%54,290-2.10%
94Water Resource Specialists6.57%7.6/1047.92%157,7407.50%
95Hydrologists6.65%6.3/1025.00%88,7702.80%
96Epidemiologists6.71%7.5/1030.67%81,39018.80%
97Veterinarians6.83%8.6/1026.10%119,10019.10%
98Electricians6.84%8.3/1020.45%61,59010.80%
99Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers7.08%7.0/1031.82%103,6905.10%
100Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary7.36%7.7/1038.46%105,65018.80%

The pattern is clear: the harder it is to standardize a job, the harder it is to automate.

What the Model Looks At

The risk scores came from a model trained using job data from O*NET, a database maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor. The model evaluated more than just job titles. It looked at dozens of traits per role, things like originality, manual precision, persuasion, scheduling, and social awareness. These attributes were measured both in terms of importance and level of difficulty.

Jobs that demand higher levels of abstract thinking, creative solutions, and interpersonal awareness were less likely to be marked as automatable. In contrast, tasks with fixed outcomes and clear inputs were labeled as easy targets.

The developers behind WillRobotTakeMyJob also factored in user feedback and manually labeled edge cases. The final scores came from a regression model, which had a high predictive accuracy of over 91%.

Lessons for the Working World

For workers, the list isn’t meant to cause panic. But it should raise a flag. If your role sits high on the risk chart, it might be time to rethink what you bring to the table. Learning new skills, cross-training, or moving into roles that require more thinking and less repetition could help with long-term career survival.

It’s also worth watching how companies use automation. Some may swap out workers for cost savings, while others might keep people in place but shift them into oversight, coordination, or technical roles. Jobs won’t vanish overnight, but the nature of how we work is already starting to tilt.

A Look Ahead

If there's one message from this data, it's that no job is guaranteed forever. But the ones that thrive will be those that keep people at the center, jobs that lean on our ability to think, connect, and adapt.

Whether you’re packing boxes or planning evacuations, the best way to stay ahead of the machines is to keep doing what they can’t.

Read next: Can AI Argue Better Than You? New Study Suggests It Might

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