AI risk index · Updated October 2026
How much of each job can AI already do?
AI exposure scores for 50 careers, from plumbers to product managers. Lower is safer. Sort by pay or training time, filter by field, and open any row for the reasons behind the score.
- Careers scored
- 50
- Median exposure
- 28/100
- Very high resilience
- 17 careers
Average AI exposure by field
Hands-on fields score lowest. Desk-based fields built on writing, analysis and digital production score highest.
Showing all 50 careers
1PlumberTrades & manufacturing · Out and about8Very high$55k to $70kUnder 6 months
What the job is: Installs and repairs water, drainage and gas systems.
Why it scores 8: No two jobs are alike and the work happens in tight, awkward physical spaces. It is close to the bottom of every automation ranking.
How people get in: Apply for an apprenticeship with a plumbing contractor or union. You earn from the first day. (Paid apprenticeship; 4 to 5 years to full license)
2Custom carpenter or renovation specialistTrades & manufacturing · Hands-on8Very high$50k to $65k6 to 12 months
What the job is: Builds and renovates: cabinetry, interiors, bespoke furniture, restoration.
Why it scores 8: One-off physical work that depends on craft and judgment on site. Good tradespeople are booked months ahead in many areas.
How people get in: Join a carpentry apprenticeship or work alongside an established renovator, then specialize. (Apprenticeship or on-the-job training)
3Veterinary technicianHealthcare · Hands-on8Very high$40k to $50k1 to 2 years
What the job is: Assists vets with treatment, surgery and animal care.
Why it scores 8: Handling and treating animals is physical, unpredictable and hands-on.
How people get in: Complete an accredited veterinary technology program and pass the credentialing exam. (2-year associate degree)
4Dental hygienistHealthcare · Hands-on9Very high$85k to $100k2+ years
What the job is: Provides preventive dental care and patient education.
Why it scores 9: Precise manual work inside a patient's mouth, with a license behind it, is far from being automated.
How people get in: Complete an accredited dental hygiene program and pass the licensing exams. (About 3 years, associate degree)
5Paramedic or EMTHealthcare · Out and about9Very high$40k to $60k6 to 12 months
What the job is: Gives emergency medical care on scene and on the way to hospital.
Why it scores 9: Fast decisions and hands-on treatment in chaotic real-world settings.
How people get in: Take an EMT course, work on an ambulance, then train up to paramedic. (EMT in months; paramedic in 1 to 2 years)
6Aircraft maintenance technicianTransport & logistics · Hands-on10Very high$70k to $85k1 to 2 years
What the job is: Inspects, services and repairs aircraft.
Why it scores 10: Safety law requires a certified person to inspect and sign off the work. The industry reports a long-running shortage of technicians.
How people get in: Attend an approved aviation maintenance school and pass the licensing exams. (18 to 24 month certified program)
7Physical therapist assistantHealthcare · Hands-on10Very high$60k to $70k1 to 2 years
What the job is: Helps patients recover movement and strength after injury or surgery.
Why it scores 10: The work is physical, personal and different for every patient.
How people get in: Complete an accredited associate program and pass the licensing exam. (2-year associate degree)
8Wind or solar technicianTrades & manufacturing · Out and about10Very high$48k to $65kUnder 6 months
What the job is: Installs and maintains solar arrays or wind turbines.
Why it scores 10: Outdoor, physical and site-specific. Both roles appear among the fastest-growing occupations in US government projections.
How people get in: Complete a technical certificate, then join an installer or operator as a junior technician. (Short technical course plus on-the-job training)
9Occupational therapistHealthcare · Hands-on12Very high$90k to $105k2+ years
What the job is: Helps people regain the ability to do everyday tasks after illness or injury.
Why it scores 12: Each plan is built around one person's body, home and goals, and delivered face to face.
How people get in: Complete a master's in occupational therapy and pass the licensing exam. (Master's degree)
10Registered nurseHealthcare · Hands-on12Very high$80k to $100k1 to 2 years
What the job is: Assesses, treats and looks after patients in hospitals, clinics and the community.
Why it scores 12: Hands-on care, clinical judgment and human reassurance together. Demand is rising as populations age.
How people get in: Complete an accredited nursing program and pass the licensing exam. Accelerated routes exist for people who already hold a degree. (2 to 4 year nursing program)
11ElectricianTrades & manufacturing · Hands-on12Very high$55k to $75kUnder 6 months
What the job is: Installs and repairs wiring, panels and electrical systems in homes, buildings and industry.
Why it scores 12: Every job site is different, the work is physical, and a licensed person must sign it off. Electrification of cars, heating and data centers is adding demand.
How people get in: Apply for an apprenticeship through a union, a trade association or a local contractor. You are paid while you train. (Paid apprenticeship; 4 to 5 years to full license)
12HVAC technicianTrades & manufacturing · Out and about12Very high$50k to $65k6 to 12 months
What the job is: Installs and services heating, cooling and ventilation systems.
Why it scores 12: Fault-finding in real buildings is hands-on and varied. Heat pumps and energy-efficiency upgrades are increasing the workload.
How people get in: Take a certificate at a trade school or community college, or join a contractor as a trainee. (6 to 12 month certificate, or an apprenticeship)
13Chef or kitchen leadRetail, food & travel · Hands-on12Very high$50k to $65k6 to 12 months
What the job is: Designs menus and runs a professional kitchen and its team.
Why it scores 12: Cooking at speed, managing a team under pressure and creating food people return for is physical and creative at once.
How people get in: Start in a kitchen and move up the line, or take a culinary program to move faster. (Learned on the job; culinary school is optional)
14Physician assistantHealthcare · Hands-on14Very high$120k to $140k2+ years
What the job is: Examines, diagnoses and treats patients alongside doctors.
Why it scores 14: Clinical responsibility plus physical examination. It is one of the faster-growing clinical roles.
How people get in: Complete science prerequisites and patient-care hours, then an accredited PA master's program. (Master's degree after science prerequisites)
15Speech-language pathologistHealthcare · Mixed14Very high$85k to $100k2+ years
What the job is: Assesses and treats speech, language and swallowing problems.
Why it scores 14: Therapy depends on a trusted relationship and constant adjustment to the person in front of you.
How people get in: Complete a master's in speech-language pathology, a supervised placement and the licensing exam. (Master's degree)
16Local service business ownerSomething else · Mixed15Very highVaries with the businessUnder 6 months
What the job is: Runs a business that serves local customers: trades, care, cleaning, fitness, repairs, food.
Why it scores 15: Local, physical services cannot be delivered by software, and customers choose people they trust.
How people get in: Pick a service you can deliver well, win five paying customers, then build systems and hire. (You can start small alongside a job)
17Building and construction inspectorTrades & manufacturing · Out and about15Very high$65k to $80k6 to 12 months
What the job is: Checks that buildings and works meet codes and safety standards.
Why it scores 15: The inspection happens on site and the sign-off carries legal weight, so it needs a qualified human.
How people get in: Build experience in a trade, then take inspector certification exams. (Trade experience plus certification)
18Robotics and automation technicianTrades & manufacturing · Hands-on18High$60k to $75k1 to 2 years
What the job is: Keeps factory robots and automated production lines running.
Why it scores 18: The more automation a company installs, the more people it needs to maintain it. You are working on the machines instead of competing with them.
How people get in: Study mechatronics or industrial maintenance at a community college. Many manufacturers sponsor trainees. (Certificate or 2-year associate degree)
19Social workerLaw & public service · Out and about18High$55k to $65k2+ years
What the job is: Supports vulnerable people and families and connects them with help.
Why it scores 18: High-stakes decisions about real people, made in their homes and communities, with legal accountability.
How people get in: Complete a social work degree and register or license as required where you live. (Degree in social work)
20Radiologic or MRI technologistHealthcare · Hands-on20High$70k to $85k1 to 2 years
What the job is: Operates imaging equipment and positions patients for scans.
Why it scores 20: AI helps read the images, but someone still has to position the patient, run the machine and keep people safe.
How people get in: Complete an accredited radiography program and pass certification. (2-year associate degree)
21Construction site managerTrades & manufacturing · Out and about22High$95k to $120k1 to 2 years
What the job is: Runs building projects: people, schedule, budget and safety.
Why it scores 22: Coordinating crews on a live site and being answerable for safety and cost needs a person present.
How people get in: Move up from a trade or site role into supervision, or enter through a construction management degree. (Usually reached through site experience or a degree)
22School teacherEducation · Hands-on22High$60k to $70k1 to 2 years
What the job is: Teaches and looks after a class of children or teenagers.
Why it scores 22: AI tutors help with practice. Managing a room of young people, motivating them and keeping them safe takes an adult who is there.
How people get in: A degree plus a teaching qualification. Many regions run faster routes for career changers, especially in math, science and special education. (1 to 2 years for certification if you hold a degree)
23Mental health counselorHealthcare · Mixed22High$50k to $70k2+ years
What the job is: Helps people work through emotional and behavioral difficulties.
Why it scores 22: Chatbots can offer support, but most people in real difficulty want a qualified human, and regulators require one.
How people get in: Complete a counseling master's, supervised practice and licensing. (Master's degree plus supervised hours)
24Health and safety specialistTrades & manufacturing · Out and about25High$75k to $90k6 to 12 months
What the job is: Inspects workplaces, investigates incidents and prevents injuries.
Why it scores 25: The work happens on site, involves people's safety and carries legal responsibility.
How people get in: Add a recognized safety certification to experience in construction, manufacturing, logistics or healthcare. (6 to 12 months for a certification)
25Career or executive coachEducation · Mixed28HighVaries; often $50k to $100kUnder 6 months
What the job is: Helps people set goals, make decisions and perform better at work.
Why it scores 28: Clients pay for accountability and a relationship. Demand tends to rise when careers are being disrupted.
How people get in: Build on real experience in a field, take a recognized coaching course, and start with a handful of low-cost clients. (A coaching certification takes 6 to 12 months)
26Event producerRetail, food & travel · Out and about28High$50k to $65kUnder 6 months
What the job is: Plans and runs events: venues, suppliers, schedules and the day itself.
Why it scores 28: Live events are physical, full of surprises and depend on relationships with suppliers.
How people get in: Start by assisting at events or organizing small ones, then build a record of events you have run. (Learned by doing)
27Technical sales engineerSales & customer service · Mixed30High$100k to $130kUnder 6 months
What the job is: Explains complex products to customers and shapes the solution that closes the deal.
Why it scores 30: It combines technical depth with trust and persuasion. Buyers want a human expert for expensive decisions.
How people get in: Move across from a technical role into pre-sales, or from sales into a technical product. (Technical background plus sales training)
28Civil or field engineerScience & engineering · Mixed30High$90k to $105k2+ years
What the job is: Designs and oversees roads, bridges, water systems and buildings.
Why it scores 30: A licensed engineer must take legal responsibility for the design, and much of the work happens on site.
How people get in: An accredited engineering degree, then supervised experience towards a professional license. (Engineering degree)
29B2B account executiveSales & customer service · Mixed30High$65k to $120k with commissionUnder 6 months
What the job is: Sells products or services to other businesses and looks after the relationship.
Why it scores 30: Large purchases involve several people and a lot of trust. AI handles the prospecting; the human closes.
How people get in: Start as a sales development representative. Employers hire on attitude and communication more than on background. (Weeks to start; skill builds over years)
30Clinical laboratory technologistScience & engineering · Hands-on30High$55k to $65k1 to 2 years
What the job is: Runs the medical tests doctors rely on to diagnose patients.
Why it scores 30: Samples are physical, instruments need skilled operators, and results must be verified by a qualified person.
How people get in: Complete an accredited medical laboratory program and certification. (2 to 4 year program)
31Interior designerMarketing, media & design · Out and about32Good$60k to $70k1 to 2 years
What the job is: Plans and styles living and working spaces for clients.
Why it scores 32: Every space and client is different, and the work involves site visits, trades and personal taste.
How people get in: Take a design qualification, assist an established designer, and document your own projects. (Diploma or degree plus a portfolio)
32Healthcare services managerHealthcare · Desk-based35Good$100k to $125k1 to 2 years
What the job is: Runs a clinic, department or care facility: staff, budget and quality.
Why it scores 35: Accountable leadership in a regulated, people-heavy setting. Healthcare keeps growing.
How people get in: Move up from a clinical or administrative healthcare role, often with a management or health administration qualification. (Degree plus healthcare experience)
33Logistics and supply-chain managerTransport & logistics · Mixed35Good$80k to $105k6 to 12 months
What the job is: Keeps goods moving: suppliers, warehouses, transport and stock.
Why it scores 35: Physical operations break in unpredictable ways, and someone has to solve them with suppliers and crews.
How people get in: Move up from a warehouse, dispatch or purchasing role, adding a supply-chain certification. (Experience plus an optional certification)
34AI automation specialistTech & IT · Desk-based35GoodEmerging role; pay varies widelyUnder 6 months
What the job is: Sets up AI tools and automated workflows for teams and small businesses.
Why it scores 35: You are the person doing the automating. Most businesses know they should use AI and have nobody who can set it up.
How people get in: Automate real processes with AI and no-code tools, write up three examples, then offer the service inside your company or as a freelancer. (3 to 6 months of hands-on practice)
35Environmental scientistScience & engineering · Out and about35Good$75k to $90k2+ years
What the job is: Studies environmental problems and advises on how to fix them.
Why it scores 35: Field sampling, site assessment and regulatory sign-off keep much of the work outside and in human hands.
How people get in: A degree in environmental science or a related subject, then a consultancy, agency or industry role. (Science degree)
36Industrial or product designerMarketing, media & design · Mixed35Good$70k to $85k2+ years
What the job is: Designs physical products people use, from tools to furniture to devices.
Why it scores 35: Physical products must be made, held and tested in the real world, which keeps designers close to the workshop.
How people get in: Study industrial design and build a portfolio of prototyped projects. (Design degree plus a portfolio)
37Financial plannerFinance & accounting · Mixed38Good$90k to $110k6 to 12 months
What the job is: Helps people plan their money: saving, investing, retirement, protection.
Why it scores 38: Software can build a portfolio. People pay an adviser for trust, reassurance and accountability during hard decisions.
How people get in: Join a firm as a trainee or paraplanner, pass the required licenses and work towards a recognized planning certification. (About a year for licenses and certification)
38Cybersecurity analystTech & IT · Desk-based40Good$110k to $135k6 to 12 months
What the job is: Protects an organization's systems, spots attacks and responds to them.
Why it scores 40: AI helps both attackers and defenders, so the contest continues and skilled defenders stay in short supply.
How people get in: Build IT fundamentals, pass an entry-level security certification, then start in IT support or a security operations center. (6 to 18 months of study and certifications)
39Project managerOffice & admin · Mixed40Good$90k to $110kUnder 6 months
What the job is: Gets a project delivered on time by coordinating people, budget and risk.
Why it scores 40: Schedules and status reports are being automated. Getting people to agree and act is not. Aim for the people side.
How people get in: Run projects informally in your current role, then add a recognized project management certification. (3 to 9 months for a certification)
40HR and people partnerOffice & admin · Desk-based40Good$65k to $90kUnder 6 months
What the job is: Handles hiring, development and the difficult conversations in an organization.
Why it scores 40: HR paperwork is being automated. Judgment about people, conflict and culture is not.
How people get in: Start in an HR coordinator or recruiting role and add a professional HR certification. (Experience plus an HR certification)
41Product managerTech & IT · Desk-based42Good$110k to $150k6 to 12 months
What the job is: Decides what a product team builds next and why.
Why it scores 42: AI speeds up the building, which makes the choice of what to build more valuable. That choice is the job.
How people get in: Move sideways from engineering, design, support or operations by taking ownership of a feature or project. (Usually an internal move after domain experience)
42Compliance and risk officerLaw & public service · Desk-based42Good$70k to $90k6 to 12 months
What the job is: Makes sure an organization follows the rules, including new rules on data and AI.
Why it scores 42: More AI use means more regulation and more need for a named person to check and sign off.
How people get in: Move from an operations, finance, legal or quality role, adding a compliance or privacy certification. (6 to 12 months for a certification)
43Creative director or brand strategistMarketing, media & design · Desk-based45Good$90k to $130k1 to 2 years
What the job is: Sets the creative direction for a brand and leads the people who produce it.
Why it scores 45: When content is cheap, the scarce skill is choosing the idea and defending it to a client. That is direction, not production.
How people get in: Grow from a design, copy or content role by leading campaigns and presenting to clients. (Reached through creative experience)
44Corporate trainer or learning designerEducation · Mixed45Good$60k to $80kUnder 6 months
What the job is: Designs and delivers training that helps employees learn new skills.
Why it scores 45: Course content is easy to generate. Getting adults to change how they work still needs a good trainer in the room.
How people get in: Start by training colleagues in something you know well, then build a small portfolio of sessions and materials. (A few months plus a portfolio)
45Cloud infrastructure engineerTech & IT · Desk-based48Moderate$110k to $140k1 to 2 years
What the job is: Designs and runs the servers, networks and pipelines that software depends on.
Why it scores 48: AI needs infrastructure, and someone has to be responsible when it fails at 3am.
How people get in: Learn Linux and networking, earn a cloud provider certification, and build projects you can show. (About a year of study and certifications)
46Machine-learning engineerTech & IT · Desk-based50Moderate$120k to $160k2+ years
What the job is: Builds and deploys the AI systems other people use.
Why it scores 50: This is the supply side of AI. The work changes quickly, so the security comes from continuous learning, not from the job title.
How people get in: A strong programming and math base, then real projects with real models. Most people arrive from software or data roles. (Degree-level math and programming)
47Video producerMarketing, media & design · Mixed50Moderate$60k to $80kUnder 6 months
What the job is: Plans, shoots and edits video for brands, creators or media.
Why it scores 50: Editing is being automated quickly. Filming real people in real places and knowing what holds attention is safer ground.
How people get in: Make work, publish it and build a showreel. Clients hire on what they can see. (Months of practice plus a showreel)
48UX or product designerMarketing, media & design · Desk-based52Moderate$85k to $110k6 to 12 months
What the job is: Works out what users need and designs products that are easy to use.
Why it scores 52: Screens can be generated. Understanding users and deciding what to build cannot, so focus on research and product thinking.
How people get in: Learn the research and design process, then build a portfolio of three case studies that show your reasoning. (6 to 12 months plus a portfolio)
49Data analyst or data scientistTech & IT · Desk-based58Moderate$85k to $115k6 to 12 months
What the job is: Turns data into answers and recommendations a business can act on.
Why it scores 58: Routine reporting is exposed. The lasting part is framing the question and knowing when the result is wrong, so aim for that end of the job.
How people get in: Learn spreadsheets, SQL and one analysis tool, then build three projects using real data from an industry you know. (6 to 18 months of focused study)
50Advisory accountantFinance & accounting · Desk-based60Lower$75k to $90k6 to 12 months
What the job is: Helps businesses make decisions with their numbers, beyond bookkeeping and compliance.
Why it scores 60: Bookkeeping is highly exposed. Advice, tax planning and a signature on the accounts are not, so move towards the advisory end.
How people get in: Qualify as an accountant, then take on budgeting, forecasting and client advisory work. (Accounting qualification, then a move into advisory)
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How to read the scores. Exposure is the share of a job's typical tasks that current AI systems can do or speed up sharply, from 0 to 100. Resilience bands: very high (15 or less), high (16 to 30), good (31 to 45), moderate (46 to 59), lower (60+). Pay is a typical U.S. range and varies by region and experience. A high score does not mean a job will disappear; it means more of the work will change. Full method · The 25 most AI-proof jobs, explained