Data Analysis9 min read

50 Jobs AI Will Replace First - and 50 It Won't (2026 Data)

We ranked all 535 jobs in our dataset by AI exposure score: the 25 most at-risk roles, the next 25 close behind, and the 50 safest - with task-level reasons and data.

September 8, 2026AI job riskautomation datacareer planning2026 trends

We scored 535 jobs task-by-task to measure how much of each role AI can already do. This ranking is generated directly from that dataset - every job name below links to a full page with per-task scores, methodology, and sources.

The 25 Jobs AI Will Replace First

These roles score highest on task-level automation exposure:

#	Job	Risk	Why
1	Data Entry Clerk	97%	Highest-exposure task: Typing & transcription (99% automatable).
2	Telemarketer	97%	Highest-exposure task: Cold calling scripts (97% automatable).
3	Filing Clerk	96%	Highest-exposure task: Document sorting (98% automatable).
4	Bookkeeper	93%	Highest-exposure task: Transaction recording (98% automatable).
5	Cashier	92%	Highest-exposure task: Transaction processing (98% automatable).
6	Medical Transcriptionist	92%	Highest-exposure task: Transcribing physician dictations (98% automatable).
7	Tax Preparer	91%	Highest-exposure task: Standard returns (97% automatable).
8	Court Reporter	90%	Highest-exposure task: Transcription (95% automatable).
9	Inventory Clerk	90%	Highest-exposure task: Counting and recording stock levels (95% automatable).
10	Government Clerk	89%	Highest-exposure task: Data entry and records management (95% automatable).
11	Bank Teller	88%	Highest-exposure task: Transaction processing (98% automatable).
12	Call Center Agent	88%	Highest-exposure task: CRM data entry & record updates (96% automatable).
13	Payroll Specialist	87%	Highest-exposure task: Payroll calculation & processing (96% automatable).
14	Checkout Operator	86%	Highest-exposure task: Scanning items and processing payments (98% automatable).
15	Customer Service Rep	85%	Highest-exposure task: FAQ responses (98% automatable).
16	Medical Billing Specialist	85%	Highest-exposure task: Code assignment (92% automatable).
17	Assembly Line Worker	85%	Highest-exposure task: Component assembly & fitting (90% automatable).
18	Billing Support Agent	85%	Highest-exposure task: Updating account and payment information (95% automatable).
19	Administrative Assistant	84%	Highest-exposure task: Calendar scheduling (95% automatable).
20	Transcriptionist	84%	Highest-exposure task: Transcribing audio recordings to text (95% automatable).
21	Copywriter	82%	Highest-exposure task: Email campaigns (92% automatable).
22	Travel Agent	82%	Highest-exposure task: Flight booking (95% automatable).
23	Stock Trader	82%	Highest-exposure task: Trade execution (95% automatable).
24	Pharmacist Technician	82%	Highest-exposure task: Data entry (95% automatable).
25	Legal Secretary	82%	Highest-exposure task: Document formatting (95% automatable).

The Next 25: Close Behind

Risk drops gradually - these roles are one automated workflow away from the top 25:

#	Job	Risk	Why
1	Textile Worker	82%	Highest-exposure task: Fabric cutting & pattern preparation (80% automatable).
2	Warranty Claims Processor	82%	Highest-exposure task: Updating warranty databases and records (95% automatable).
3	Stock Room Associate	81%	Highest-exposure task: Conducting stock counts and inventory audits (90% automatable).
4	Payroll Coordinator	81%	Highest-exposure task: Calculating tax withholdings and deductions (95% automatable).
5	Machine Operator	80%	Highest-exposure task: Production run monitoring (85% automatable).
6	Live Chat Agent	80%	Highest-exposure task: Responding to common customer queries (95% automatable).
7	Subtitler	80%	Highest-exposure task: Ensuring subtitle readability and timing accuracy (88% automatable).
8	Census Worker	79%	Highest-exposure task: Entering and validating survey responses (92% automatable).
9	Fast Food Cook	78%	Highest-exposure task: Order preparation (85% automatable).
10	Data Analyst	78%	Highest-exposure task: SQL queries (95% automatable).
11	Recruiter	78%	Highest-exposure task: Resume screening (95% automatable).
12	Warehouse Worker	78%	Highest-exposure task: Inventory tracking (95% automatable).
13	Loan Officer	78%	Highest-exposure task: Application review (92% automatable).
14	Credit Analyst	78%	Highest-exposure task: Risk scoring (92% automatable).
15	PPC Specialist	78%	Highest-exposure task: Bid management (92% automatable).
16	Food Processing Worker	78%	Highest-exposure task: Food sorting, cutting & packaging (85% automatable).
17	Freight Forwarder	78%	Highest-exposure task: Shipment tracking & exception management (90% automatable).
18	Virtual Assistant	78%	Highest-exposure task: Calendar scheduling & meeting booking (90% automatable).
19	Treasury Analyst	76%	Highest-exposure task: Bank reconciliation & reporting (90% automatable).
20	Digital Marketing Manager	76%	Highest-exposure task: Performance reporting & attribution (85% automatable).
21	Packaging Operator	76%	Highest-exposure task: Loading materials and monitoring line output (88% automatable).
22	SEO Specialist	75%	Highest-exposure task: Keyword research (95% automatable).
23	Prompt Engineer	75%	Highest-exposure task: Documentation (85% automatable).
24	Notary Public	75%	Highest-exposure task: Record keeping (90% automatable).
25	Email Marketing Specialist	75%	Highest-exposure task: Audience segmentation & targeting (85% automatable).

The 50 Jobs That Won't Be Replaced First

The bottom of the exposure ranking:

#	Job	Risk	Why
1	Doula	3%	Most human task: Labor support (only 2% automatable).
2	Firefighter	5%	Most human task: Fire suppression (only 3% automatable).
3	Massage Therapist	5%	Most human task: Manual therapy (only 2% automatable).
4	Horse Trainer	5%	Most human task: Training (only 3% automatable).
5	Farrier	5%	Most human task: Hoof trimming (only 3% automatable).
6	Typewriter Repair	5%	Most human task: Repair (only 5% automatable).
7	Hospice Worker	5%	Most human task: Emotional support (only 2% automatable).
8	Dentist	6%	Most human task: Surgery (only 5% automatable).
9	Therapist / Psychologist	8%	Most human task: Relationship building (only 3% automatable).
10	Executive / CEO	8%	Most human task: Team leadership (only 5% automatable).
11	HVAC Technician	8%	Most human task: Installation (only 5% automatable).
12	Childcare Worker	8%	Most human task: Child supervision (only 3% automatable).
13	Acupuncturist	8%	Most human task: Needle placement (only 5% automatable).
14	Elder Care Worker	8%	Most human task: Companionship (only 3% automatable).
15	Diplomat	8%	Most human task: Relationship building (only 3% automatable).
16	Steeplejack	8%	Most human task: Height work (only 5% automatable).
17	Luthier	8%	Most human task: Tonal adjustment (only 5% automatable).
18	Art Therapist	8%	Most human task: Emotional support (only 3% automatable).
19	Music Therapist	8%	Most human task: Session facilitation (only 5% automatable).
20	Pyrotechnician	8%	Most human task: Execution (only 5% automatable).
21	Taxidermist	8%	Most human task: Preservation (only 5% automatable).
22	Paramedic	9%	Most human task: Treatment delivery (only 10% automatable).
23	Carpenter	10%	Most human task: Installation (only 5% automatable).
24	Lifeguard	10%	Most human task: Rescue (only 3% automatable).
25	Dog Trainer	10%	Most human task: Socialization (only 3% automatable).
26	Tree Surgeon	10%	Most human task: Climbing/cutting (only 5% automatable).
27	Potter	10%	Most human task: Throwing (only 5% automatable).
28	Beekeeper	10%	Most human task: Colony care (only 8% automatable).
29	Construction Worker	12%	Most human task: Manual labor (only 10% automatable).
30	Hair Stylist	12%	Most human task: Cutting & styling (only 5% automatable).
31	Speech Therapist	12%	Most human task: Therapy sessions (only 8% automatable).
32	Electrician Apprentice	12%	Most human task: Wiring (only 8% automatable).
33	Sculptor	12%	Most human task: Material work (only 5% automatable).
34	Crossing Guard	12%	Most human task: Emergency response & child safety (only 3% automatable).
35	Yoga Instructor	12%	Most human task: Client motivation (only 8% automatable).
36	Stunt Performer	12%	Most human task: Physical performance (only 5% automatable).
37	Ship Welder	12%	Most human task: Underwater work (only 3% automatable).
38	Blacksmith	12%	Most human task: Custom work (only 5% automatable).
39	Clergy	13%	Most human task: Ceremony leading (only 3% automatable).
40	Registered Nurse	14%	Most human task: Direct patient care & bedside procedures (only 5% automatable).
41	Veterinarian	14%	Most human task: Surgery (only 5% automatable).
42	Midwife	14%	Most human task: Labor support (only 3% automatable).
43	Flight Attendant	15%	Most human task: Emergency response (only 5% automatable).
44	Auto Mechanic	15%	Most human task: Parts replacement (only 5% automatable).
45	Optometrist	15%	Most human task: Patient care (only 8% automatable).
46	Dermatologist	15%	Most human task: Procedures (only 5% automatable).
47	Park Ranger	15%	Most human task: Emergency response (only 10% automatable).
48	Sports Coach	15%	Most human task: Player motivation (only 5% automatable).
49	Dog Walker	15%	Most human task: Walking (only 5% automatable).
50	Prosthetist	15%	Most human task: Fitting (only 10% automatable).

Method

Rankings come from our task-level exposure scores: each job is broken into tasks, each task scored for automatability, and the job-level risk is a weighted rollup of task exposure. See the methodology and download the full dataset.

Data: 535 jobs. Explore any job page for sources and per-task scores.