As we advance further into the era of artificial intelligence and automation, the landscape of employment is set to undergo significant shifts. New insights from the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlight which sectors will experience job growth and which will face declines in the next decade.
The U.S. labor market is anticipated to expand by 5.9 million jobs, marking a 3.5% increase from 2025 to 2035. This growth rate, however, is slower compared to the previous decade. The total workforce is expected to grow from 170.3 million to 176.2 million, with key contributions from the healthcare, technology, and renewable energy sectors.
Work is conducted in 2021 on a wind farm outside of Apache, Okla. Wind turbine service technicians are expected to be in demand in the coming years.
Artificial intelligence is also fueling job growth in sectors like data analysis, cybersecurity, and software development. However, the automation wave is predicted to negatively impact roles in office support, sales, and production. Particularly, administrative roles, such as clerks and data entry operators, are set to decline by 4%, the largest drop projected in any category, due to the “continued integration of automation tools, including those powered by AI,” according to the Labor Department.
Fastest-declining jobs
The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a decrease in employment rates for certain jobs between 2025 and 2035. Although the total number of jobs lost might be small, these positions will experience the largest percentage reductions. For instance, telephone operators, which already had a limited workforce, will see a sharp decline.
Jobs that once depended heavily on manual skills but can now be automated are among the top 10 fastest-declining positions:
|
Job |
Number employed in 2025 |
Expected decline by 2035 |
Median annual wage (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Word processors, typists |
40,400 |
34.4% (to 26,500) |
$49,280 |
|
Telephone operators |
3,500 |
27.6% (to 2,500) |
$41,740 |
|
Switchboard operators |
35,400 |
26% (to 26,200) |
$38,630 |
|
Data entry keyers |
131,800 |
25.5% (to 98,200) |
$41,340 |
|
Foundry mold and coremakers |
12,700 |
23.0% (to 9,800) |
$48,110 |
|
Patternmakers, metal and plastic |
1,500 |
22.8% (to 1,100) |
$58,000 |
|
Telemarketers |
60,900 |
21.4% (to 47,800) |
$35,450 |
|
Grinding and polishing workers, hand |
10,800 |
19.2% (to 8,700) |
$42,660 |
|
Roof bolters, mining |
2,200 |
18.9% (to 1,800) |
$78,540 |
|
Cutters and trimmers, hand |
5,900 |
18.9% (to 4,800) |
$38,020 |
Biggest projected losses
In addition to the fastest-declining jobs, there are occupations expected to lose the most total employees. For example, cashier jobs are predicted to drop by 6.5%, but due to the high number of these jobs, the absolute loss will be significant, with around 200,600 positions disappearing by 2035.
Administrative roles and those focused on data handling or customer service are prominent on this list. Jobs for correctional officers and jailers also feature as notable categories.
The top 10 jobs facing the largest reductions are:
|
Career |
Projected number of jobs lost, 2025-2035 |
|---|---|
|
Cashiers |
200,600 |
|
Office clerks |
156,200 |
|
Customer service representatives |
141,800 |
|
Secretaries, administrative assistants |
114,100 |
|
Bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks |
85,600 |
|
Shipping, receiving and inventory clerks |
62,800 |
|
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers |
52,500 |
|
Tellers |
44,700 |
|
Data entry keyers |
33,600 |
|
Correctional officers and jailers |
29,500 |
From left, HCA Florida West Hospital physician Lynzee Rittenour, physician Juliet Terpstra and nurse practitioner Kristin Foster teach emergency baby delivery and newborn stabilization techniques to paramedics and EMTs on Aug. 11 at the Escambia County Public Safety Office in Pensacola, Fla. Nurse practitioner jobs are expected to grow 41% by 2035.
Projected to grow most
Conversely, sectors such as power, technology, and healthcare are poised for job growth between 2025 and 2035. The aging population, increased healthcare needs, and rising energy demands are major drivers for new opportunities in healthcare, data science, and renewable energy fields. Healthcare and social assistance are anticipated to add the most jobs among major sectors in the coming decade.
Here are the top five occupation groups projected to grow the most:
|
Occupation group |
Projected growth, 2025-2035 |
|---|---|
|
Healthcare support |
13.3% |
|
Healthcare practitioners and technicians |
8% |
|
Life, physical and social science |
7.5% |
|
Community and social service |
7.4% |
|
Computer and mathematical |
7.3% |
GRNE Solar’s Mike Dunn, left, and Kendall Ludwig install solar panels Dec. 21, 2020, at a rural property in Lebanon, Ind. Solar installation is a growing career path.
Biggest projected gains
Here are the top five jobs with the biggest projected gains:
|
Jobs |
Projected growth, 2025-2035 |
|---|---|
|
Nurse practitioners |
41% |
|
Solar photovoltaic installers |
36.5% |
|
Data scientists |
34.6% |
|
Wind turbine service technicians |
29.5% |
|
Medical and health service managers |
24.4% |
Original Story at www.channel3000.com