Jobs least likely to be replaced by AI
Updated Oct 31, 2026
Occupations with the lowest AI replacement risk: hands-on, physical and people-facing work ranks highest.
Lowest AI replacement risk(50 occupations)
| # | Occupation | Median pay | In 10 yrs | Outlook | AI risk | Growth (10 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brickmasons and Blockmasons Construction · 53K workers |
$62,120 | $84,900est. | 54/100 | 7% | +1.1% |
| 2 | Carpet Installers Construction · 14K workers |
$50,340 | $64,600est. | 38/100 | 7% | −16.4% |
| 3 | Electricians Construction · 757K workers |
$63,190 | $89,100est. | 78/100 | 7% | +9.2% |
| 4 | Pipelayers Construction · 33K workers |
$49,000 | $65,600est. | 41/100 | 7% | −3.1% |
| 5 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Construction · 466K workers |
$63,800 | $89,700est. | 76/100 | 7% | +6.8% |
| 6 | Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers Construction · 14K workers |
$58,970 | $78,200est. | 48/100 | 7% | −5.3% |
| 7 | Roofers Construction · 135K workers |
$55,440 | $77,400est. | 65/100 | 7% | +5.3% |
| 8 | Helpers--Carpenters Construction · 22K workers |
$43,780 | $59,100est. | 47/100 | 7% | −1.7% |
| 9 | Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Construction · 44K workers |
$42,360 | $58,300est. | 54/100 | 7% | +2.4% |
| 10 | Roustabouts, Oil and Gas Construction · 45K workers |
$46,960 | $65,000est. | 63/100 | 7% | +3.6% |
| 11 | Firefighters Protective Services · 346K workers |
$59,280 | $82,000est. | 58/100 | 8% | +3.7% |
| 12 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Protective Services · 158K workers |
$33,580 | $46,900est. | 64/100 | 8% | +5.5% |
| 13 | Tree Trimmers and Pruners Cleaning & Building Services · 55K workers |
$50,960 | $70,700est. | 70/100 | 8% | +4.2% |
| 14 | Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles Construction · 24K workers |
$56,460 | $79,600est. | 69/100 | 8% | +9.0% |
| 15 | Construction Laborers Construction · 1.1M workers |
$47,120 | $66,300est. | 67/100 | 8% | +7.3% |
| 16 | Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall Construction · 44K workers |
$49,120 | $67,500est. | 48/100 | 8% | +2.4% |
| 17 | Plasterers and Stucco Masons Construction · 19K workers |
$57,660 | $79,400est. | 56/100 | 8% | +2.8% |
| 18 | Structural Iron and Steel Workers Construction · 68K workers |
$62,780 | $86,600est. | 62/100 | 8% | +3.1% |
| 19 | Continuous Mining Machine Operators Construction · 14K workers |
$61,810 | $85,300est. | 61/100 | 8% | +3.2% |
| 20 | Carpenters Construction · 670K workers |
$60,580 | $83,800est. | 67/100 | 9% | +3.9% |
| 21 | Glaziers Construction · 58K workers |
$57,080 | $78,200est. | 51/100 | 9% | +1.9% |
| 22 | Painters, Construction and Maintenance Construction · 225K workers |
$49,400 | $68,100est. | 66/100 | 9% | +3.0% |
| 23 | Fence Erectors Construction · 24K workers |
$47,980 | $66,900est. | 62/100 | 9% | +5.6% |
| 24 | Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas Construction · 13K workers |
$67,890 | $92,600est. | 57/100 | 9% | +0.8% |
| 25 | Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas Construction · 43K workers |
$58,160 | $79,400est. | 52/100 | 9% | +1.1% |
| 26 | Healthcare Support Workers, All Other Caregiving · 110K workers |
$48,430 | $67,300est. | 70/100 | 10% | +4.8% |
| 27 | First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers Protective Services · 99K workers |
$93,530 | $129,200est. | 67/100 | 10% | +3.7% |
| 28 | First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other Protective Services · 21K workers |
$76,400 | $104,600est. | 60/100 | 10% | +1.9% |
| 29 | Protective Service Workers, All Other Protective Services · 82K workers |
$42,540 | $58,600est. | 66/100 | 10% | +3.0% |
| 30 | Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Beauty & Personal Care · 306K workers |
$35,790 | $50,400est. | 69/100 | 10% | +7.7% |
| 31 | Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers Construction · 83K workers |
$58,930 | $80,900est. | 56/100 | 10% | +2.5% |
| 32 | Solar Photovoltaic Installers Construction · 31K workers |
$53,140 | $75,000est. | 78/100 | 10% | +36.5% |
| 33 | Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Construction · 11K workers |
$58,620 | $80,200est. | 52/100 | 10% | +1.6% |
| 34 | Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Construction · 34K workers |
$57,430 | $78,300est. | 47/100 | 10% | +1.0% |
| 35 | Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Sports & Fitness · 323K workers |
$47,160 | $66,300est. | 73/100 | 11% | +7.3% |
| 36 | Tile and Stone Setters Construction · 36K workers |
$55,690 | $78,600est. | 69/100 | 11% | +9.8% |
| 37 | Insulation Workers, Mechanical Construction · 26K workers |
$58,340 | $81,100est. | 58/100 | 11% | +5.1% |
| 38 | Sheet Metal Workers Construction · 120K workers |
$61,800 | $84,800est. | 60/100 | 11% | +2.5% |
| 39 | Helpers--Electricians Construction · 64K workers |
$42,670 | $58,000est. | 50/100 | 11% | +0.6% |
| 40 | Skincare Specialists Beauty & Personal Care · 73K workers |
$45,330 | $63,900est. | 73/100 | 12% | +8.8% |
| 41 | Boilermakers Construction · 10K workers |
$76,410 | $102,600est. | 49/100 | 12% | −1.8% |
| 42 | Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas Construction · 19K workers |
$60,190 | $83,000est. | 56/100 | 12% | +3.6% |
| 43 | Paramedics Healthcare · 101K workers |
$60,600 | $84,400est. | 58/100 | 13% | +5.7% |
| 44 | Orderlies Caregiving · 52K workers |
$38,290 | $52,900est. | 57/100 | 13% | +4.0% |
| 45 | Animal Trainers · 19K workers |
$39,990 | $55,300est. | 65/100 | 13% | +4.2% |
| 46 | Barbers Beauty & Personal Care · 15K workers |
$38,210 | $52,600est. | 60/100 | 13% | +3.3% |
| 47 | Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers Construction · 206K workers |
$57,020 | $77,800est. | 45/100 | 13% | +1.6% |
| 48 | Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Construction · 42K workers |
$53,340 | $71,900est. | 46/100 | 13% | −0.9% |
| 49 | Highway Maintenance Workers Construction · 155K workers |
$50,260 | $69,200est. | 52/100 | 13% | +3.4% |
| 50 | Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners Construction · 31K workers |
$49,880 | $70,100est. | 64/100 | 13% | +7.8% |
Pay and employment figures are national statistics (U.S.: BLS OEWS and Employment Projections; Japan: MHLW job tag). Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. How to read the data