15 Jobs That Will Disappear By 2030
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation is reshaping the global economy and transforming how different industries operate. Looking at the current scenario of technological developments, many potential opportunities may emerge in the near future. However, with this, we will also see a threat to traditional roles, leading to a wave of jobs that will disappear by 2030.
As businesses seek greater efficiency and cost savings, tasks traditionally performed by humans are increasingly handed over to machines, especially in roles involving repetitive or easily automated tasks. According to statistics, over 212,000 tech workers were laid off due to the tech industry’s intense focus on AI-driven replacements. These numbers are only expected to grow.
This crucial shift is compelling today’s workforce to upskill and adapt to the future of skills employment in 2030.
What Is The Impact Of AI On Future Jobs?
The rise of AI and its integration into daily operations is set to redefine the future of employment. For some industries it will help increase efficiency, while for the others, AI may completely automate the work.
So, exactly how many jobs will disappear in the future due to AI? According to a report by McKinsey, 50% of current work activities are technically automatable by adapting current technologies. The report also states that about 800 million global jobs and 475 million employees could be disrupted by automation before 2030. Another study by Oxford University suggests that around 47% of jobs are in danger from AI in the United States.
Companies and individuals have already started adopting AI to increase productivity and streamline operations. And with growing computing power, there are some jobs in the process of replacement by robots in sectors like manufacturing and customer service.
As technology advances, the impact on jobs will be felt across both low-skill and high paying jobs, forcing employees to evaluate which careers may go extinct by 2030.
Which Jobs Will Disappear By 2030?
Understanding which jobs may go extinct by 2030 is crucial for individuals looking to future-proof their careers. Below are 15 jobs at high risk due to automation and AI advancements.
1. Fast food workers
With the growth of AI, fast food establishments are increasingly turning to automation to reduce human labor. You may have already noticed that many establishments now have self-service kiosks for ordering and picking up food.
According to Business Insider, some companies have already turned to robots to help in the kitchen for simple tasks like flipping burgers. Yes, it’s quite possible that in some time your McDonald’s burger will be made completely by machines.
With the rising adoption of kiosks, robotic cooks, and automated delivery systems, fast-food roles may go extinct by 2030.
2. Telemarketers
Telemarketing was a booming industry a decade ago. However, today telemarketers are jobs already replaced by robots in various sectors. Automated calling systems powered by AI are already on the rise, revolutionizing customer service.
Here are some key benefits of AI telemarketing systems:
- Real-Time Data Access: Instantly performs database searches to provide accurate, personalized responses.
- Simultaneous Conversations: Manages multiple customer interactions at once, increasing efficiency.
- 24/7 Availability: Operates around the clock without breaks or sick leave.
- Cost-Effective: Reduces the need for a large human workforce, saving on labor costs.
- Consistent Performance: Delivers uniform responses, ensuring a consistent customer experience every time.
According to statistics, there were approximately 419,812 people employed in the telemarketing industry in the United States as of 2023. There has already been a decline of 2.8% from 2018 and a projected decline of another 20% is predicted in the coming decade. More and more companies are adopting this, making telemarketing a job that won’t survive artificial intelligence.
3. Data entry workers
Data entry tasks are repetitive and straightforward, making them ideal candidates for automation. Advanced software systems can process a massive amount of data in a span of minutes, eliminating the need for human intervention.
Due to this, more organizations are adopting these automated solutions that perform these tasks with greater accuracy and lower scope of errors.
According to a study, around 38% of data entry tasks can be automated by 2030. With advancements in AI-driven data processing, data entry jobs will likely disappear as companies transition to software solutions capable of managing data efficiently.
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4. Assembly Technician
Automation has already taken a significant toll on assembly line jobs, particularly in industries like automotive manufacturing. These AI-driven machines are precise, cost-effective and efficient removing the need for manual labor.
According to reports, around 20 million assembly technician jobs will be replaced by 2030. Assembly lines jobs will be lost due to AI as robots can perform repetitive assembly tasks faster and with greater precision.
Due to this, the decline of human assembly technicians in favor of automated processes is inevitable.
5. Stockers at warehouses
Companies like Amazon have already been using machines to do this repetitive task for decades. As online shopping expands, warehouses are leveraging robotic technology to sort, stock, and retrieve items for shipment.
These robots are equipped with advanced sensors that make the entire process more efficient. Because of AI and these advancements, it is projected that around 70% of warehouse jobs will be automated.
This shift to automation minimizes the need for manual stockers, making warehouse stocking a potentially obsolete job by 2030.
6. Travel agents
Gone are the days when we needed to get on long calls with travel agents to plan our vacations and book flights. With most travel arrangements now handled online, the need for traditional travel agents has sharply declined. With platforms like skyscanner and airbnb, booking flights or hotels have never been easier.
Moreover, AI-driven chatbots make it extremely easy to plan and create a customized itinerary for you. These platforms can customize and book travel experiences more efficiently. Due to this, the need for travel agents will go away making their way in the list of jobs that no longer exist.
7. Drivers
Riding apps like Uber are becoming extremely common with increasing traffic. With that, self-driving vehicles and delivery systems using drones are expected to be mainstream by 2030. Companies like Tesla are working on creating 100% autonomous vehicles.
Due to this rapid advancement in the transportation industry, drivers could potentially face a real threat of unemployment in the AI age. Studies suggest that as self-driving technology advances, especially in long-haul trucking and delivery services, up to 70-80% of these jobs could be at risk by 2030
The growth of artificial intelligence in transportation and autonomous vehicles could drastically reduce or even eliminate driver positions, affecting truck drivers, delivery personnel, and taxi drivers.
8. Cashiers
Cashier roles are at risk of extinction as retailers implement self-checkout systems and mobile payment apps. You may have already noticed automated checkout systems being placed in supermarkets and stores. These self-checkout systems use sensors, cameras and algorithms to seamlessly manage the entire process without human intervention.
Here are some key reasons why companies are increasingly adopting automated cashiers:
- Cost Savings: Reduces labor costs by decreasing the need for human cashiers.
- Increased Efficiency: Speeds up checkout processes, especially during peak hours, reducing wait times for customers.
- 24/7 Operation: Allows for uninterrupted service, enabling stores to stay open without staffing limitations.
- Enhanced Accuracy: Minimizes human error in transactions, improving accuracy in pricing and payment processing.
These advantages make automated cashiers an attractive option for companies looking to improve profitability and customer satisfaction.
Moreover, there have also been advancements in the payment system. The rise of contactless payment like ApplePay has completely changed the traditional way of billing, eliminating the need of cashiers.
With fewer cashiers required, this position may largely go away within the next decade, especially in major retail chains and grocery stores. Some resources even suggest that over 3.5 million cashier j obs will be lost due to automation by 2027.
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9. Tax preparers
Automation in the financial sector is growing, with AI tools capable of managing tax calculations and filing paperwork. With advancements in AI-powered tax software, individuals and businesses are already calculating and filing their own taxes. As these technologies continue to improve, it raises a pressing question for the finance industry: will technology replace financial jobs like tax preparation entirely?
While highly complex financial cases may still require human expertise, the widespread adoption of AI tools could reduce the demand for traditional tax preparers. Due to this, tax preparers are dying careers at high risk of being automated.
10. Content writers
It is no surprise that AI is now generating written content for news, marketing, and social media with unprecedented speed. Think about the effort traditionally required to create engaging content: thorough research, fact-checking, and crafting a compelling narrative to keep readers engaged. Today, AI tools can accomplish these tasks in seconds.
Although AI-generated content is not always accurate, softwares like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini have already revolutionized content writing. You may argue that these softwares are capable of expressing the same human emotions. However, newer versions of these softwares are set to change that in the coming year.
As AI writing tools improve, content writers may find it challenging to compete, placing their jobs in danger from AI advancements.
11. Casino dealers
Casino dealers are among the part-time and full-time jobs that may disappear by 2030. The rise of sophisticated AI dealers have reduced the need for human dealers. As the digital transformation of the online gaming industry is taking place, more casinos are opting AI dealers.
These automated dealers have an added advantage of studying the behavior of players and updating their algorithms accordingly. Additionally, the chance of human error also decreases. If you are a casino dealer who is looking for a change in career path, have a look at these odd high paying jobs.
12. Translators
AI-powered translation tools have rapidly improved, making real-time language translation accessible and accurate. Have you ever come across a web page that was in a different language? A single click instantly translates the whole content into your chosen language. We are already using AI more than we realize as simple tasks integrate in our routine seamlessly.
Because of technology, these advancements pose a significant threat to human translators, especially in routine translation jobs. Unfortunately, due to this, translators are careers that won’t exist in 2030.
13. Toll booth operators
The implementation of automated toll systems has already replaced many toll booth operators, with the trend set to continue. Automated systems that read RFID tags and license plates have become common on highways.
It is now becoming mandatory for all cars to have E-Zpasses, an electronic toll collection system. These systems are extremely efficient as they speed up the process and work 24 hours without human help. By 2030, toll booth jobs will likely be fully obsolete as more highways adopt cashless, digital tolling solutions.
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14. Meter readers
The role of meter readers is becoming increasingly obsolete as new energy technologies have changed the way of tracking usage. With the rise of solar energy and advancements in energy storage, utility companies can now track and monitor electricity usage remotely through smart meters.
Smart meters are gradually replacing traditional utility meter readers. These devices enable remote tracking of water, gas, and electricity usage. They are backed with softwares that can read and send data directly to companies, reducing the need for manual meter checks, making this another dying career.
According to automation risk caculator, this occupation is at imminent risk with 81% chances of it being replaced by AI in the near future.
15. Dispatcher
You would be surprised to learn this but human dispatcher jobs still exist. If you call 911, there will be a human dispatcher on the other end, ready to help you with your emergency. Their job is to make sure that operations run smoothly. However, AI dispatchers are becoming increasingly common for non-emergency industries, like booking a cab.
AI-powered systems now handle many of the responsibilities previously managed by human dispatchers. In industries like transportation or logistics, automated dispatching has become increasingly common, reducing reliance on human dispatch roles.
Conclusion
The rise of AI and automation isn’t just about jobs disappearing by 2030—it’s about the personal impact. As automation grows, it disrupts job security, demands new skills, and changes our daily lives. With fewer human-driven services, we risk losing the “human touch” in areas like customer support and healthcare, making us feel disconnected in a digital world.
However, as AI and automation reshape the global economy, workers must remain proactive, developing skills that machines cannot easily replicate. While some top careers of today are likely to be jobs that will disappear by 2030, many roles are adapting and evolving.
This shift from manual to automated presents an opportunity for the workforce to evolve, adapt, and thrive alongside technology. If you are worried about your job, have a look at this automation risk calculator to see if robots will replace your job.
FAQs
The growth of artificial intelligence will have a transformative impact on the global economy. In the short term, AI boosts productivity and efficiency, reducing costs for businesses and improving service delivery.
In the long term, however, as automation replaces human jobs, industries may experience heightened unemployment and wage disparities. This shift could lead to economic challenges, as workers are displaced and required to retrain for new careers.
Jobs emphasizing creativity, interpersonal skills, and advanced decision-making will likely be safe from AI. Professions in healthcare, such as nursing and psychology, involve human interaction and empathy, which AI cannot fully replicate.
Jobs that are technology-related like AI management, machine learning, and data analysis will also be secure in the coming years. Although there is no definitive answer to how many jobs will disappear in the future due to AI, these are some of the safe bets.