Quick Answer
How many jobs have been replaced by technology in 2025?
Automation technology is estimated to eliminate around 73 million of all jobs in the United States by 2030, which is equal to a shocking 46% of all current jobs.
As we watch the job market evolve, we see more automation and artificial intelligence (AI) technology being utilized.
For example, chat agents are being replaced by automated chat systems, and checkout registers are being gradually replaced by self-checkout options.
So, how many jobs have been replaced by technology?
This number is in the millions and will account for nearly 50% of jobs in the United States within the next 8 years, according to the data.
The next few paragraphs will discuss what jobs already replaced by technology and other related data to the topic.
Let’s dig into this topic.
How Many Jobs Have Been Replaced by Technology?
We will cut to the chase and address the topic straight on before addressing related data.
Automation is set to replace 20 million manufacturing jobs in the U.S. by 2030.
Automation technology is estimated to eliminate around 73 million of all jobs in the United States by 2030, which is equal to a shocking 46% of all current jobs.
It’s hard to believe that almost 50% of the job market as we know it will not be available for human employment, but instead be replaced with robots, automation, and AI technologies.
Let’s talk about the jobs that have been or will be affected, jobs that won’t be affected, and how to prevent your job from being affected.
Jobs That Have Been Replaced by Technology
What jobs have been replaced by technology already?
Here are 15 jobs that have been or soon will be replaced by AI/automation:
1. Accountants
We already know that there are accounting software programs that do much of the work of an accountant already.
Due to the nature of numbers and accounting theory, these systems will have no need for monitoring or tracking.
2. Ad Salespeople
Advertising sales has and will continue to shift from print media to digital ads and marketing.
Marketing on social media and online are more cost-efficient and offer options for local, region, territory/state, nation, and global reach.
3. Benefits Managers
Since benefits managers mostly deal with paperwork, this job will be replaced by automation to save time and money, especially for large corporations.
4. Bookkeeping and Data Entry Clerks
Much like accounting, bookkeeping software programs can do the job faster and more efficiently than humans, so it will likely be replaced with AI.
Also data entry is likely to also go the way of the robot.
5. Customer Service Executives
Certain customer service roles have been and will be replaced by AI. If you have recently contacted Amazon.com’s chat for support or customer service, you will see that the process is totally automated now.
The thought is that this kind of job requires less emotional intelligence (EQ) and social interactions to perform. Whether you agree or disagree with that concept, it’s still happening.
6. Delivery Jobs/Couriers
There has already been some level of replacements in the courier and delivery driver job market.
The use of self-driving vehicles, drones, and other robotics is currently in use in various countries all over the globe.
The idea is to create better supply chain options, save money, and to achieve higher efficiency.
7. Doctors
In the coming years, you can expect to be interacting more with robotic surgeons when it comes to performing critical and major surgeries.
It’s believed that the accuracy and preciseness of robotic surgeons will mitigate human error in the area of infections. Also, they consider this a more sterile option.
8. Market Research Analysts
Companies wouldn’t be successful without market research analytics. They are skilled with creating content, marketing campaigns, and product development.
AI has been created to automate this role, so robots can perform surveys and market research to produce sophisticated reports.
9. Proofreaders
New innovations in programs like spelling and grammar checking, proofreader jobs will be replaced with AI and software.
Bloggers will be able to check their writing using these tools within blogging platforms like WordPress to correct sentence structure, grammatical errors, and offer plagiarism detection.
10. Receptionists
Receptionists are already being replaced by phone automation, IVR, and online scheduling systems. Remote offices will be human-free in a matter of years.
11. Retail Salespeople
Much like customer service jobs, retail jobs will become automated as shopping is done more online than offline.
12. Security Guards
Technology has evolved in the area of technology enough to replace more security guard jobs.
The development and improvement of facial recognition, robot guards, and other AI, will eliminate the need for human security guards.
13. Soldiers
Over the past several years, likely longer than we might realize, there has been an increase in robotic usage in military operations all over the globe.
This includes the areas of surveillance and intelligence to name two. The idea here is to have robots that follow orders without hesitation and without constant supervision.
14. Transportation Jobs- Taxi and Bus Drivers
Self-driving vehicles with autonomous features will take over the entire transportation sector.
15. Telemarketers
The telemarketing sector is gradually shrinking in human agents as robots take over this job market.
There is little to no emotional or intelligence required to do this job, nor does a person require social skills to work in this career.
AI has already shown success in this job market for generating phone sales.
Jobs that Aren’t at Risk
Just like the jobs that are more likely to be replaced by AI, robots, and automation, there are some that aren’t at risk.
1. High-level Executives (CEO, CFO, COO, etc.)
The role of a chief executive officer in an organization cannot be automated. Managing employees is just one of the tasks performed by chief executives.
They are key to motivating teams, resolving conflict, mentoring, etc. Leadership and people skills are necessary, which involves EQ that no machine can offer.
2. Clergy
The job of clergy like ministers, preachers, priests, etc., exhibit emotions, faith, love, and empathy.
They are skilled, and often have the natural ability to instill confidence, inspire, and guide people. A robot cannot exhibit these qualities.
3. Editors
While proofreading software can take over most human tasks for the written word, editors provide the human touch for clarity, accuracy, and the originality of content.
It’s not something a machine can do.
4. Event Planners
Event planners have people skills that cannot be programmed into a robot. It also requires creativity, quick-thinking, and organization skills. The success of any event relies on the human factor.
5. Graphic Designers
You might think that AI could replace graphic designers, but that is another area that requires the human touch.
Creativity is key, as is the ability to meet the needs of clients in tastes and preferences. C
ombining art with techniques is not something that can be programmed for creating original graphics.
6. Human Resource Managers
Human resources managers (HR) deal with employees and must have people skills, emotional intelligence, the ability to reason and resolve conflict, and be present for other interpersonal relations.
This is another job market where AI and robots cannot thrive.
7. Lawyers
Lawyers are trained and learn to use the law to the favor of their clients. Robots are currently unable to adapt to this role.
Therefore, robots cannot persuade humans, making this job a human job.
8. Marketing Managers
Marketing managers are skilled employees that can create content, oversee marketing campaigns, interpret analytical data, and monitor current trends.
They can also read feedback and use it to the benefit of their clients. AI programs cannot currently respond to the needs and changes the way humans can.
9. Project Managers
The job of the project manager is also people centric. They must have the EQ and leadership skills to manage a team. This is not something that can be programmed.
10. Public Relations Managers
Public relations managers revolve around building relationships that cannot be programmed into AI. This is a human-centric role.
11. Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists deal with people and must continually learn how the brain works.
Robots lack the emotional intelligence to express feelings, show compassion or empathy, or connect with humans like another human can.
12. Sales Managers
Sales managers, like psychiatrists, require emotional intelligence. They also need to be able to keep customers and corporate satisfied.
There is a fine and balanced blend that cannot be programmed into a robot for this role.
13. Scientists
Scientists perform a wide range of research that no machine can be programmed to do. However, AI does help with some data analysis and other calculations in this field.
14. Software Developers
Developing software is a challenge for humans much less being impossible for AI to handle. Each client has customizations and requirements that don’t fit a standard model.
15. Writers
Writers are people who regularly generate quality and original content. They use their imagination and creativity to produce engaging and informative content.
AI programs can write articles, but not like a human can. Writing isn’t a role that can be fully automated.
You can see why these jobs aren’t on the list of jobs replaced by technology.
Jobs Replaced by Technology: The Facts
- In America, there are 293,200 industrial robots in use. That number increases each year by about 40,000.
- 85% of Americans are okay with automation in jobs where danger or health risks exist.
- 37% of Americans are concerned that automation will replace their jobs leaving them in the displaced worker category.
- 25% of jobs in America are susceptible to automation technology.
- As of 2020, there are about 3 million working industrial robots all over the world.
Preventing the Risk of Automation Taking Your Job
You can train or skills that provide you with a career in one of the jobs that aren’t likely to be replaced by automation, or you can train to get involved in the technology that is overtaking jobs.
Also, according to the Harvard Business Review, while 85 million jobs may be displaced by the increase of automation, AI, or robots, there will be 97 million new jobs emerging by 2025.
A few examples:
- AI and machine learning jobs
- Data analysts
- Business development professionals
- Information security analysts
- Mechanics and machine repair technicians
- Risk management specialists
- Fintech engineers
Also, cloud computing and the green economy will generate millions of jobs.
These jobs may mitigate your worry of jobs being replaced by technology.
Conclusion
Overall, there is no reason to worry about jobs being replaced by robots or technology in general.
Instead of worrying over this topic, adapt and look into changing career fields where technology is apt to displace your current job.
Being prepared is better than worrying about what you will do if you’re displaced by a robot, AI, or other automation technology.
How do you feel about all these jobs being overtaken by technology?
How many do you think will be replaced in the future?
