Jobs AI can't replace

Updated

Cement masons score 8 of 100 for AI exposure, the lowest of the jobs we graded. Across the 50 AI-proof careers on this list, an average of 83% of task time still needs a person.

The 50 safest jobs from AI

Ranked by AI exposure score, lowest first. Under each job is the task AI is least able to do.

  1. Cement masons, Stays human: push roller over surface to embed chips in surface., score 8 out of 100
  2. Dishwashers, Stays human: sweep or scrub floors., score 8 out of 100
  3. Highway maintenance workers, Stays human: flag motorists to warn them of obstacles or repair work ahead., score 8 out of 100
  4. Maids, Stays human: dust and polish furniture and equipment., score 8 out of 100
  5. Drywall installers, Stays human: hang drywall panels on metal frameworks of walls and ceilings in offices, schools, or other large buildings, using lifts or hoists to adjust panel heights, when necessary., score 9 out of 100
  6. Dining room attendants, Stays human: clean and polish counters, shelves, walls, furniture, or equipment in food service areas or other areas of restaurants and mop or vacuum floors., score 10 out of 100
  7. Electrician helpers, Stays human: break up concrete, using airhammer, to facilitate installation, construction, or repair of equipment., score 10 out of 100
  8. Forklift operators, Stays human: position lifting devices under, over, or around loaded pallets, skids, or boxes and secure material or products for transport to designated areas., score 10 out of 100
  9. Orderlies, Stays human: restrain patients to prevent violence or injury or to assist physicians or nurses to administer treatments., score 10 out of 100
  10. Tire changers, Stays human: clean and tidy up the shop., score 10 out of 100
  11. Landscapers, Stays human: operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws., score 11 out of 100
  12. Metal fabricators, Stays human: lift or move materials and finished products, using large cranes., score 11 out of 100
  13. Electrical linemen, Stays human: climb poles or use truck-mounted buckets to access equipment., score 12 out of 100
  14. Glaziers, Stays human: move furniture to clear work sites and cover floors or furnishings with drop cloths., score 12 out of 100
  15. Roofers, Stays human: set up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs., score 12 out of 100
  16. Slaughterers, Stays human: sever jugular veins to drain blood and facilitate slaughtering., score 12 out of 100
  17. Tree trimmers, Stays human: climb trees, using climbing hooks and belts, or climb ladders to gain access to work areas., score 12 out of 100
  18. Auto body technicians, Stays human: position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers., score 13 out of 100
  19. Construction workers, Stays human: dig ditches or trenches, backfill excavations, or compact and level earth to grade specifications, using picks, shovels, pneumatic tampers, or rakes., score 13 out of 100
  20. Laundry workers, Stays human: spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors., score 13 out of 100
  21. Vehicle cleaners, Stays human: clean the plastic work inside cars, using paintbrushes., score 13 out of 100
  22. Hazardous materials removal workers, Stays human: upload baskets of irradiated elements onto machines that insert fuel elements into canisters and secure lids., score 14 out of 100
  23. Janitors, Stays human: move heavy furniture, equipment, or supplies, either manually or with hand trucks., score 14 out of 100
  24. Bricklayers, Stays human: clean working surface to remove scale, dust, soot, or chips of brick and mortar, using broom, wire brush, or scraper., score 15 out of 100
  25. Diesel mechanics, Stays human: raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists., score 15 out of 100
  26. Firefighters, Stays human: dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus., score 15 out of 100
  27. Heavy equipment operators, Stays human: start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes., score 15 out of 100
  28. Spray painting machine operators, Stays human: hold or position spray guns to direct spray onto articles., score 15 out of 100
  29. Structural steel workers, Stays human: ride on girders or other structural steel members to position them, or use rope to guide them into position., score 15 out of 100
  30. Surgical technologists, Stays human: scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing., score 15 out of 100
  31. Cable technicians, Stays human: dig trenches for underground wires or cables., score 16 out of 100
  32. Maintenance helpers, Stays human: hold or supply tools, parts, equipment, and supplies for other workers., score 16 out of 100
  33. Manicurists, Stays human: prepare customers' nails in soapy water, using swabs, files, and orange sticks., score 16 out of 100
  34. Meat trimmers, Stays human: remove parts, such as skin, feathers, scales or bones, from carcass., score 16 out of 100
  35. Nursing assistants, Stays human: lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers., score 16 out of 100
  36. Paper goods machine operators, Stays human: lift tote boxes of finished cartons, and dump cartons into feed hoppers., score 16 out of 100
  37. Sewing machine operators, Stays human: remove holding devices and finished items from machines., score 16 out of 100
  38. Woodworking machine operators, Stays human: push or hold workpieces against, under, or through cutting, boring, or shaping mechanisms., score 16 out of 100
  39. Aircraft mechanics, Stays human: remove or install aircraft engines, using hoists or forklift trucks., score 17 out of 100
  40. Emergency medical technicians, Stays human: immobilize patient for placement on stretcher and ambulance transport, using backboard or other spinal immobilization device., score 17 out of 100
  41. Food preparation workers, Stays human: vacuum dining area and sweep and mop kitchen floor., score 17 out of 100
  42. Ophthalmic medical technicians, Stays human: assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery., score 17 out of 100
  43. Warehouse workers, Stays human: connect electrical equipment to power sources so that it can be tested before use., score 17 out of 100
  44. Carpenters, Stays human: bore boltholes in timber, masonry or concrete walls, using power drill., score 18 out of 100
  45. Molding machine operators, Stays human: connect water hoses to cooling systems of dies, using hand tools., score 18 out of 100
  46. Painters, Stays human: erect scaffolding or swing gates, or set up ladders, to work above ground level., score 18 out of 100
  47. Press operators, Stays human: clean work area., score 18 out of 100
  48. Endoscopy technicians, Stays human: position or transport patients in accordance with instructions from medical personnel., score 19 out of 100
  49. Gas station attendants, Stays human: clean parking areas, offices, restrooms, or equipment, and remove trash., score 19 out of 100
  50. Lifeguards, Stays human: rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment., score 19 out of 100

What makes a job AI-safe

Three things keep a task human in our grading. The work is physical, like treating a patient or installing equipment. It depends on trust, like explaining a diagnosis or calming a client. Or someone has to be accountable for the decision. AI still reaches the paperwork. Even for cement masons, it can do 0% of the task time. The most exposed task is to monitor how the wind.

Questions about jobs safe from AI

What jobs can't AI replace?

Cement masons score lowest, at 8 of 100. Every job on this list scores 19 or less, and an average of 83% of their task time still needs a person.

Which careers are safe from AI?

129 of the 402 jobs we publish score in the low band, 0 to 29. They lean on hands-on work, care and decisions someone signs off, as cement masons, dishwashers, highway maintenance workers do.

Are any jobs AI-proof?

No job scores zero. Cement masons score 8. A low score means most of the work needs a person today.

What are the most future-proof jobs?

Jobs with low AI exposure and growing employment. On this list, ophthalmic medical technicians (+21.4% to 2034, score 17), electrical linemen (+10.3% to 2034, score 12), manicurists (+9.2% to 2034, score 16) combine both.

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