Is AI really coming for Americans’ jobs? We’ve heard this for a while now, but where’s the proof? The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released its new 2025–2035 employment projections. Although the agency expects the US economy to add about 5.9 million jobs over the next ten years, some occupations are expected to shrink dramatically, while others might actually disappear.
The Employment Reshuffle
The good news is America isn’t expected to run out of jobs. The bad news is that some familiar jobs aren’t expected to survive the next decade. However, the reshuffling of employment opportunities is not unusual. In 1850, nearly half of the American labor force worked in farming or related agricultural occupations. But then mechanization, such as tractors, entered the scene; by 1970, only about 4% worked in that field, according to the BLS. Instead, people shifted to factory work and offices.
Telephones are a good example of how technology changed employment in this field. Technology first created these jobs because calls couldn’t simply be dialed. Operators had to physically connect callers through switchboards, creating employment for numerous people. But then automatic switching and dial telephones came along, and customers could make their own calls.
Jobs often don't just disappear; sometimes consumers end up doing the work. Take, for example, cashiers. In some stores, customers scan and bag their own purchases. While there is certainly pushback in the retail space, it is still a trend gaining traction in many businesses. Want to travel for your vacation? Instead of working with a travel agent to make arrangements, people can book a flight themselves and even secure a rental vehicle. Bank tellers used to know the locals, but today we have mobile banking and drive-up ATMs. Even going to the movies has changed. Now, you can buy a ticket online or at a kiosk and even choose your seating.
Jobs Endangered List
As the US continues to adopt more AI and automation, here are the top ten jobs expected to shrink between 2025 and 2035, according to the BLS.
10. Cutters and Trimmers: Down 18.9%
Workers in this industry use handheld power tools on materials such as carpet, fabric, stone, glass, and rubber. The BLS estimates there were nearly 6,000 hand cutters and trimmers in 2025. By 2035, about 1,100 of these jobs are expected to be gone, leaving only around 4,800.
9. Roof Bolters, Mining: Down 18.9%
Underground miners operate machinery that installs bolts in mine roofs to help support them. The BLS examples include underground roof bolter, roof-bolting coal miner, and underground bolting machine operator. By 2035, around 400 jobs will be obsolete, leaving just 1,800 workers in the field.
8. Grinding and Polishing Workers: Down 19.2%
In 2025, this occupation had 10,800 employees, with duties including grinding, sanding, and polishing products made from metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass using hand and power tools. The BLS expects about 2,100 of these jobs to be gone by 2035, leaving just 8,700 workers in this field.
7. Telemarketers: Down 21.4%
Last year, there were 60,900 telemarketers, but by 2035, the BLS says 13,000 positions will be gone, leaving 47,800 workers in the sector.
6. Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic: Down 22.8%
Employees in this field lay out, fit, and assemble patterns and core molds that manufacturers use to produce parts. In 2025, there were just 1,500 workers, and by 2035, only 1,100 employees are expected to hold these positions.
5. Foundry Mold and Coremakers: Down 23%
Workers in this position traditionally make wax or sand molds and cores to produce metal casings. Last year, the industry had 12,700 workers, but the number is expected to drop to 9,800 by 2035.
4. Data Entry Keyers: Down 25.5%
These jobs involve typing customer information, such as financial or medical records and survey responses. By 2035, 33,600 positions are projected to be lost, bringing the total down to 98,200.
3. Switchboard Operators: Down 26%
In 2025, 35,400 switchboard operators managed incoming and outgoing calls, assisted callers, and handled safety alerts, among other duties. But automated systems have changed that, and now more customers are getting the "press 1 for sales, press 2 for customer service,” responses. With 9,200 jobs estimated to disappear, just 26,200 workers might remain by 2035.
2. Telephone Operators: Down 27.6%
Telephone operators can overlap with switchboard operators, but they eventually developed somewhat different duties. Operators help callers place calls, obtain telephone numbers, arrange special calls, or provide other telephone assistance. At one point, calling "the operator" was a normal part of using a telephone. In 2025, 3,500 operators worked in the field. With an expected decline of about 1,000 jobs over the next decade, the industry will have roughly 2,500 workers by 2035.
1. Word Processors and Typists: Down 34.4%
And the dubious honor of America's fastest-disappearing occupation goes to the professional typist. According to the Smithsonian, the 1870 census counted only seven “stenographers and typewriters.” By the 1920 census, there were half a million in the industry. This isn’t necessarily a profession taken over by AI. Instead, more people learned how to do this duty themselves, making the professional typist nearly obsolete. In 2025, 40,400 people were employed in this field. However, 13,900 jobs are projected to disappear by 2035, leaving just 26,500 professional word processors and typists.
It’s easy to understand how some of these jobs and occupations are shrinking in today’s technological world. The skill of using one’s hands seems to be losing ground the quickest, as machinery replaces traditional trades and skills. AI may be the newest job thief on the block, but progress has had a very long rap sheet.
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