According to the most recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the American economy added 175,000 jobs in April, marking the slowest increase in six months. The unemployment rate reached 3.9%, signaling that the labor market has cooled off from earlier this year.
With these numbers in mind and the college graduation season upon us, GOBankingRates decided to explore the future of the job market and potential ways to make money.
Using BLS projections from 2022 to 2032, here are 20 jobs that are unlikely to exist in 10 years and alternative careers to focus on instead.
Why Some Jobs Will Disappear in the Future
Certain types of work might disappear due to advancements in technology, automation, evolving industry needs, changing consumer behavior, and environmental shifts.
“Tasks that are repetitive and manual are prime candidates for automation,” said Justin Marcus, CEO and co-founder of Big 4 Talent. “The shift towards digital communication and advanced technology reduces the need for traditional roles such as telephone operators, making them obsolete.”
Technology increasingly replaces roles such as word processors, telephone operators, and any tasks that can be automated.
“As industries move towards sustainability, jobs heavily reliant on non-renewable resources, such as certain mining positions, are being phased out in favor of greener alternatives,” Marcus added.
Jobs Likely to Disappear Over the Next Decade
Word Processors and Typists
- 2022 Total Employment: 44,000
- Projected Change: -17,000 (-38.6%)
Watch and Clock Repairers
- 2022 Total Employment: 2,100
- Projected Change: -600 (-29.8%)
Roof Bolters
- 2022 Total Employment: 1,800
- Projected Change: -500 (-28.5%)
Cutters and Trimmers (Hand)
- 2022 Total Employment: 8,300
- Projected Change: -2,300 (-28.2%)
Telephone Operators
- 2022 Total Employment: 4,100
- Projected Change: -1,100 (-26.6%)
Data Entry Clerks
- 2022 Total Employment: 165,600
- Projected Change: -43,100 (-26.0%)
Switchboard Operators
- 2022 Total Employment: 48,400
- Projected Change: -12,100 (-25.1%)
Foundry Mold and Coremakers
- 2022 Total Employment: 11,500
- Projected Change: -2,700 (-23.5%)
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- 2022 Total Employment: 161,400
- Projected Change: -35,300 (-21.8%)
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Workers
- 2022 Total Employment: 29,800
- Projected Change: -6,500 (-21.8%)
Patternmakers (Metal and Plastic)
- 2022 Total Employment: 2,300
- Projected Change: -500 (-21.6%)
Refractory Materials Repairers
- 2022 Total Employment: 600
- Projected Change: -100 (-21.4%)
Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- 2022 Total Employment: 511,100
- Projected Change: -108,100 (-21.1%)
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers
- 2022 Total Employment: 4,100
- Projected Change: -900 (-21.0%)
Telemarketers
- 2022 Total Employment: 97,700
- Projected Change: -20,100 (-20.6%)
Grinding and Polishing Workers
- 2022 Total Employment: 14,500
- Projected Change: -2,800 (-19.5%)
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
- 2022 Total Employment: 50,900
- Projected Change: -9,600 (-18.9%)
Model Makers (Metal and Plastic)
- 2022 Total Employment: 3,400
- Projected Change: -600 (-18.8%)
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters
- 2022 Total Employment: 400
- Projected Change: -100 (-18.7%)
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- 2022 Total Employment: 6,600
- Projected Change: -1,200 (-18.3%)
How To Make Money Instead
As demands shift and technology evolves over the next decade, some jobs will grow. With organizations increasingly relying on data analytics, there will be a rising demand for positions in related fields.
“The surge in online shopping continues to drive growth in e-commerce platforms and logistics management,” Marcus said. “Roles in supply chain optimization and fulfillment center operations are expanding rapidly.”
Additionally, the aging population and the growing complexity of financial planning will create more job opportunities in these sectors.
Jobs Likely to Grow in the Next Decade
Wind Turbine Service Technicians
- 2022 Total Employment: 11,200
- Projected Change: +5,000 (+44.9%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $57,320
Nurse Practitioners
- 2022 Total Employment: 266,300
- Projected Change: +118,600 (+44.5%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $121,610
Data Scientists
- 2022 Total Employment: 168,900
- Projected Change: +59,400 (+35.2%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $103,500
Statisticians
- 2022 Total Employment: 33,300
- Projected Change: +10,500 (+31.6%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $98,920
Information Security Analysts
- 2022 Total Employment: 168,900
- Projected Change: +53,200 (+31.5%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $112,000
Medical and Health Services Managers
- 2022 Total Employment: 509,500
- Projected Change: +144,700 (+28.4%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $104,830
Epidemiologists
- 2022 Total Employment: 10,000
- Projected Change: +2,700 (+26.7%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $78,520
Physician Assistants
- 2022 Total Employment: 148,000
- Projected Change: +39,300 (+26.5%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $126,010
Physical Therapist Assistants
- 2022 Total Employment: 100,700
- Projected Change: +26,300 (+26.1%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $62,770
Software Developers
- 2022 Total Employment: 1,594,500
- Projected Change: +410,400 (+25.7%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $127,260
Occupational Therapy Assistants
- 2022 Total Employment: 45,100
- Projected Change: +10,800 (+24.0%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $64,250
Actuaries
- 2022 Total Employment: 30,000
- Projected Change: +7,000 (+23.2%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $113,990
Computer and Information Research Scientists
- 2022 Total Employment: 36,500
- Projected Change: +8,300 (+22.7%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $136,620
Operations Research Analysts
- 2022 Total Employment: 109,900
- Projected Change: +24,700 (+22.5%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $85,720
Solar Photovoltaic Installers
- 2022 Total Employment: 29,400
- Projected Change: +6,600 (+22.3%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $45,230
Home Health and Personal Care Aides
- 2022 Total Employment: 3,715,500
- Projected Change: +804,500 (+21.7%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $30,180
Taxi Drivers
- 2022 Total Employment: 177,300
- Projected Change: +36,400 (+20.6%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $30,670
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
- 2022 Total Employment: 122,900
- Projected Change: +25,200 (+20.5%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $38,240
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
- 2022 Total Employment: 114,800
- Projected Change: +23,500 (+20.5%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $34,740
Personal Care and Service Workers (All Other)
- 2022 Total Employment: 87,000
- Projected Change: +17,900 (+20.5%)
- 2022 Median Annual Wage: $34,670
In conclusion, as the job market evolves due to technological advancements and shifting industry demands, it’s crucial to stay informed about declining and emerging job opportunities. By focusing on growing fields, individuals can better navigate the future of work and secure stable, well-paying careers.
