What Jobs Will AI Replace First? (2026 Data)

Updated March 2026 Based on 3649 roles assessed JobZone Score Methodology v3
What Jobs Will AI Replace First?

If you're wondering whether your role is on the front line, the data is clear about which jobs go first. Out of the 3649 roles we've assessed using the JobZone scoring framework, 200 (5%) land in the RED zone — meaning AI can already perform a significant portion of their core tasks. 70 of those are classified RED Imminent, scoring below 20 out of 100.

The role count alone — 200 — undersells the impact. Mapped to US Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data, those roles account for 🇺🇸 44.3M US workers (26% of the mapped workforce). The gap between "a few dozen job titles" and "millions of workers" is the real story.

What do these roles have in common? Their work happens entirely in software, their tasks are routine and repetitive, and there are few regulatory or physical barriers preventing AI from doing the job today. Below, we rank them, explain what makes them vulnerable, and help you see which industries are most exposed.

200
RED zone roles
70
RED Imminent
🇺🇸 44.3M
US workers affected (26%)

The 20 Most Vulnerable Jobs

Ranked by JobZone Score (lowest resistance first). Each role links to its full assessment.

# Role Score
1 File Clerks (Mid-Level) 1.5 /100
2 Micro-Task Worker (Online) (Mid-Level) 1.7 /100
3 Data Entry Keyer (Mid-Level) 2.3 /100
4 Word Processor and Typist (Mid-Level) 2.6 /100
5 Vulnerability Tester / Scanner Operator (Entry-Level) 2.7 /100
6 Telephone Operator (Mid-Level) 3.0 /100
7 Virtual Assistant (Entry-to-Mid Level) 3.2 /100
8 Live Chat Support Agent (Entry-to-Mid Level) 3.4 /100
9 Telemarketer (Mid-Level) 3.4 /100
10 Medical Transcriptionist (Mid-Level) 3.6 /100
11 Toll Collector (Mid-Level) 3.6 /100
12 Machine Feeders and Offbearers (Mid-Level) 3.6 /100
13 Procurement Clerks (Mid-Level) 3.6 /100
14 Correspondence Clerk (Mid-Level) 3.6 /100
15 Desktop Publisher (Mid-Level) 3.7 /100
16 Office Machine Operator, Except Computer (Mid-Level) 3.9 /100
17 OnlyFans Chatter / Ghostwriter (Entry-to-Mid Level) 4.0 /100
18 Meter Reader (Mid-Level) 4.1 /100
19 Medical Scribe (Mid-Level) 4.3 /100
20 Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerk (Entry-to-Mid) 4.4 /100

What Makes These Jobs Vulnerable?

The 200 RED zone roles share four traits that make them first in line for AI displacement. Our scoring methodology evaluates each role across five dimensions — here's what the most vulnerable jobs have in common:

Digital-First Workflows

These roles operate entirely in software. Every core task — writing, processing, analysing, communicating — happens on a screen. AI is strongest where work is digital.

Routine & Repetitive Tasks

The core work follows predictable patterns. Data entry, form processing, basic coding, scheduling — tasks AI tools can already handle with minimal oversight.

Low Regulatory Barriers

No licensing, certification, or legal framework prevents AI from performing the work. Unlike doctors or lawyers, there's nothing stopping an employer from automating these tasks tomorrow.

No Physical Presence Required

The job can be done remotely. If a human doesn't need to be physically present, neither does an AI agent — it just needs access to the same systems.

RED Imminent — The Jobs AI Is Replacing Now

70 roles in our database score below 20 on the JobZone Score, placing them in the RED Imminent category. These aren't jobs that might be automated in five years. The tools to replace their core workflows exist today — the lowest-scoring roles handle tasks like data entry, basic correspondence, and routine processing that AI systems already perform at scale.

File Clerks (Mid-Level) 1.5 Micro-Task Worker (Online) (Mid-Level) 1.7 Data Entry Keyer (Mid-Level) 2.3 Word Processor and Typist (Mid-Level) 2.6 Vulnerability Tester / Scanner Operator (Entry-Level) 2.7 Telephone Operator (Mid-Level) 3.0 Virtual Assistant (Entry-to-Mid Level) 3.2 Live Chat Support Agent (Entry-to-Mid Level) 3.4 Telemarketer (Mid-Level) 3.4 Medical Transcriptionist (Mid-Level) 3.6 Toll Collector (Mid-Level) 3.6 Machine Feeders and Offbearers (Mid-Level) 3.6 Procurement Clerks (Mid-Level) 3.6 Correspondence Clerk (Mid-Level) 3.6 Desktop Publisher (Mid-Level) 3.7 Office Machine Operator, Except Computer (Mid-Level) 3.9 OnlyFans Chatter / Ghostwriter (Entry-to-Mid Level) 4.0 Meter Reader (Mid-Level) 4.1 Medical Scribe (Mid-Level) 4.3 Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerk (Entry-to-Mid) 4.4 Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products (Mid-Level) 4.4 Document Controller (Mid-Level) 4.6 E-commerce / Product Photographer (Mid-Level) 4.7 Office and Administrative Support Worker, All Other (Mid-Level) 4.8 Transcriptionist (Mid-Level) 4.8 Accounts Payable Clerk (Mid-Level) 5.3 Mail Clerk / Mail Machine Operator (Mid-Level) 5.3 Payroll Clerk (Mid-Level) 5.3 Statistical Assistant (Mid-Level) 5.3 Conveyor Operators and Tenders (Mid-Level) 5.3 SOC Analyst (Tier 1 / Entry-Level) 5.4 Cashier (Mid-Level) 5.4 Office Clerk, General (Mid-Level) 5.5 SEO Writer (Mid-Level) 5.5 Bank Teller (Entry-to-Mid) 5.6 Teller / Bank Teller (Mid-Level) 5.6 Photo Retoucher (Mid-Level) 5.7 Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators (Mid-Level) 5.7 Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service (Mid-Level) 5.7 Resume Writer (Mid-Level) 5.8 Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks (Mid-Level) 5.9 Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk (Mid-Level) 6.1 Information and Record Clerks, All Other (Mid-Level) 6.1 Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping (Mid-Level) 6.2 Subtitler / Captioner (Entry-Mid) 6.2 Junior Penetration Tester (Entry-Level) 6.4 Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan (Mid-Level) 6.5 Sales Development Representative / BDR (Entry-Level) 6.6 Call Centre Agent (Entry-to-Mid Level) 6.6 AI Content Creator (Mid-Level) 6.7 Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk (Mid-Level) 6.7 Editorial Assistant (Entry-to-Mid Level) 6.8 Billing and Posting Clerk (Entry-to-Mid) 7.0 CMS Developer / WordPress Developer (Mid-Level) 7.1 Pension Administrator (Mid-Level) 7.1 Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners (Mid-Level) 7.2 AI Prompt Engineer — Creative (Mid-Level) 7.4 Online Exam Proctor (Mid-Level) 7.4 Inventory Specialist (Mid-Level) 7.5 Loan Interviewers and Clerks (Mid-Level) 7.7 Office Coordinator (Entry-to-Mid) 7.7 Parcel Sorter (Entry-to-Mid Level) 7.8 Receptionist and Information Clerk (Mid-Level) 8.0 Order Clerks (Mid-Level) 8.2 Product Analyst (Mid-Level) 8.3 Brokerage Clerk (Mid-Level) 8.3 Financial Clerks, All Other (Mid-Level) 8.5 Accounts Receivable Clerk (Mid-Level) 8.5 Human Resources Assistant, Except Payroll and Timekeeping (Mid-Level) 9.0 Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender (Mid-Level) 9.8

Which Industries Are Most Exposed?

Average JobZone Scores vary across career domains. Domains with lower averages have a higher concentration of vulnerable roles. Individual roles within any domain can vary widely — two roles in the same industry can sit in very different zones depending on how much of their work is digital, routine, and unregulated.

Domain Avg JobZone Score
Data 28.6
Business & Operations 29.6
Manufacturing 31.1
Real Estate & Property 34.5
Cloud & Infrastructure 35.1
Development 36.0
Creative & Media 37.2
Library, Museum & Archives 39.4
Legal & Compliance 39.7
Science & Research 40.7
Retail & Service 40.8
Government & Public Admin 42.4
Engineering 46.0
Transportation 46.4
Agriculture 48.1
Cybersecurity 49.0
Education 49.1
Other 50.5
Utilities & Energy 50.6
Public Safety 53.0
Religious & Community 54.4
Social Services 55.8
AI 56.0
Sports & Recreation 56.2
Healthcare 57.5
Military 57.6
Veterinary & Animal Care 59.8
Trades & Physical 60.5

All 200 RED Zone Roles

Every role in our database scoring below 33 on the JobZone Score. Sorted by score (most vulnerable first). Search all 3649 roles →

# Role Score
1 File Clerks (Mid-Level) 1.5 /100
2 Micro-Task Worker (Online) (Mid-Level) 1.7 /100
3 Data Entry Keyer (Mid-Level) 2.3 /100
4 Word Processor and Typist (Mid-Level) 2.6 /100
5 Vulnerability Tester / Scanner Operator (Entry-Level) 2.7 /100
6 Telephone Operator (Mid-Level) 3.0 /100
7 Virtual Assistant (Entry-to-Mid Level) 3.2 /100
8 Live Chat Support Agent (Entry-to-Mid Level) 3.4 /100
9 Telemarketer (Mid-Level) 3.4 /100
10 Medical Transcriptionist (Mid-Level) 3.6 /100
11 Toll Collector (Mid-Level) 3.6 /100
12 Machine Feeders and Offbearers (Mid-Level) 3.6 /100
13 Procurement Clerks (Mid-Level) 3.6 /100
14 Correspondence Clerk (Mid-Level) 3.6 /100
15 Desktop Publisher (Mid-Level) 3.7 /100
16 Office Machine Operator, Except Computer (Mid-Level) 3.9 /100
17 OnlyFans Chatter / Ghostwriter (Entry-to-Mid Level) 4.0 /100
18 Meter Reader (Mid-Level) 4.1 /100
19 Medical Scribe (Mid-Level) 4.3 /100
20 Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerk (Entry-to-Mid) 4.4 /100
21 Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products (Mid-Level) 4.4 /100
22 Document Controller (Mid-Level) 4.6 /100
23 E-commerce / Product Photographer (Mid-Level) 4.7 /100
24 Office and Administrative Support Worker, All Other (Mid-Level) 4.8 /100
25 Transcriptionist (Mid-Level) 4.8 /100
26 Accounts Payable Clerk (Mid-Level) 5.3 /100
27 Mail Clerk / Mail Machine Operator (Mid-Level) 5.3 /100
28 Payroll Clerk (Mid-Level) 5.3 /100
29 Statistical Assistant (Mid-Level) 5.3 /100
30 Conveyor Operators and Tenders (Mid-Level) 5.3 /100
31 SOC Analyst (Tier 1 / Entry-Level) 5.4 /100
32 Cashier (Mid-Level) 5.4 /100
33 Office Clerk, General (Mid-Level) 5.5 /100
34 SEO Writer (Mid-Level) 5.5 /100
35 Bank Teller (Entry-to-Mid) 5.6 /100
36 Teller / Bank Teller (Mid-Level) 5.6 /100
37 Photo Retoucher (Mid-Level) 5.7 /100
38 Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators (Mid-Level) 5.7 /100
39 Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service (Mid-Level) 5.7 /100
40 Resume Writer (Mid-Level) 5.8 /100
41 Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks (Mid-Level) 5.9 /100
42 Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk (Mid-Level) 6.1 /100
43 Information and Record Clerks, All Other (Mid-Level) 6.1 /100
44 Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping (Mid-Level) 6.2 /100
45 Subtitler / Captioner (Entry-Mid) 6.2 /100
46 Proofreader and Copy Marker (Mid-Level) 6.3 /100
47 Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators (Mid-Level) 6.3 /100
48 Junior Penetration Tester (Entry-Level) 6.4 /100
49 Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan (Mid-Level) 6.5 /100
50 Sales Development Representative / BDR (Entry-Level) 6.6 /100
51 Call Centre Agent (Entry-to-Mid Level) 6.6 /100
52 AI Content Creator (Mid-Level) 6.7 /100
53 Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk (Mid-Level) 6.7 /100
54 Editorial Assistant (Entry-to-Mid Level) 6.8 /100
55 Billing and Posting Clerk (Entry-to-Mid) 7.0 /100
56 CMS Developer / WordPress Developer (Mid-Level) 7.1 /100
57 Pension Administrator (Mid-Level) 7.1 /100
58 Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners (Mid-Level) 7.2 /100
59 AI Prompt Engineer — Creative (Mid-Level) 7.4 /100
60 Online Exam Proctor (Mid-Level) 7.4 /100
61 Cinema Projectionist (Mid-Level) 7.5 /100
62 Inventory Specialist (Mid-Level) 7.5 /100
63 Loan Interviewers and Clerks (Mid-Level) 7.7 /100
64 Office Coordinator (Entry-to-Mid) 7.7 /100
65 Parcel Sorter (Entry-to-Mid Level) 7.8 /100
66 Help Desk Technician (Entry-Level) 7.8 /100
67 Civil Servant — Administrative Officer (Mid-Level) 7.9 /100
68 Prompt Engineer (Mid-Level) 7.9 /100
69 AI Data Trainer (Mid-Level) 7.9 /100
70 Receptionist and Information Clerk (Mid-Level) 8.0 /100
71 Secretary & Administrative Assistant (Mid-Level) 8.1 /100
72 Order Clerks (Mid-Level) 8.2 /100
73 Product Analyst (Mid-Level) 8.3 /100
74 Trainee Accountant / AAT Student (Entry-Level) 8.3 /100
75 Brokerage Clerk (Mid-Level) 8.3 /100
76 Financial Clerks, All Other (Mid-Level) 8.5 /100
77 Accounts Receivable Clerk (Mid-Level) 8.5 /100
78 Content Writer (Mid-Level) 8.5 /100
79 Communications Equipment Operators, All Other (Mid-Level) 8.6 /100
80 Motion Picture Projectionist (Mid-Level) 8.7 /100
81 Lettings Administrator (Mid-Level) 8.9 /100
82 Gambling Cage Worker (Mid-Level) 8.9 /100
83 Travel Booking Agent (Mid-Level) 9.0 /100
84 Human Resources Assistant, Except Payroll and Timekeeping (Mid-Level) 9.0 /100
85 Veterinary Receptionist (Entry-to-Mid Level) 9.2 /100
86 Junior Software Developer (Entry-Level) 9.3 /100
87 Packer and Packager, Hand (Entry) 9.5 /100
88 IT Coordinator (Mid-Level) 9.5 /100
89 Real Estate Transaction Coordinator (Mid-Level) 9.5 /100
90 Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks (Mid-Level) 9.6 /100
91 Mail Handler (USPS) (Mid-Level) 9.6 /100
92 Web Developer (Mid-Level) 9.6 /100
93 Privacy Analyst (Entry/Junior) 9.7 /100
94 Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender (Mid-Level) 9.8 /100
95 New Accounts Clerk (Mid-Level) 9.9 /100
96 Poultry Sexer / Chick Sexer (Mid-Level) 9.9 /100
97 Procurement Analyst (Mid-Level) 10.0 /100
98 Newsletter Writer (Mid-Level) 10.1 /100
99 Autocue Operator / Teleprompter Operator (Mid-Level) 10.2 /100
100 Programmer (Mid-Level) 10.2 /100
101 Debt Collection Agent (Mid-Level) 10.2 /100
102 E-commerce Fulfilment Operative (Entry-to-Mid Level) 10.3 /100
103 Growth Analyst (Mid-Level) 10.4 /100
104 Data Analyst (Mid-Level) 10.4 /100
105 Taxi Controller / Minicab Dispatcher (Mid-Level) 10.4 /100
106 Trainee Actuary / Student Actuary (Entry-Level) 10.5 /100
107 Warehouse Order Picker (Entry-to-Mid) 10.5 /100
108 HubSpot Developer (Mid-Level) 10.5 /100
109 Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, and Weigher (Mid-Level) 10.6 /100
110 Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator (Mid-Level) 10.7 /100
111 Bill and Account Collector (Mid-Level) 10.7 /100
112 DevOps Engineer (Mid-Level) 10.7 /100
113 Project Coordinator / Project Support Officer (Mid-Level) 10.8 /100
114 Dropshipper (Mid-Level) 10.8 /100
115 Hansard Reporter (Mid-Level) 10.9 /100
116 Gambling Change Person and Booth Cashier (Mid-Level) 11.0 /100
117 Mechanical Assembler (Mid-Level) 11.1 /100
118 Drive-Through Operator (Entry-Level) 11.1 /100
119 UI Designer (Mid-Level) 11.1 /100
120 Phone Sex Operator (Mid-Level) 11.3 /100
121 Stock Controller — Warehouse (Mid-Level) 11.3 /100
122 Email Developer (Mid-Level) 11.3 /100
123 Quality Control Inspector (Mid-Level) 11.5 /100
124 Library Assistants, Clerical (Entry-to-Mid) 11.5 /100
125 QA/Manual Tester (Mid-Level) 11.5 /100
126 Technical Support Specialist (Mid-Level) 11.5 /100
127 Medical Coder (Mid-Level) 11.6 /100
128 Localization Writer (Mid-Level) 11.7 /100
129 Pharmacy Technician (Mid-Level) 11.7 /100
130 Release/Build Engineer (Mid-Level) 11.7 /100
131 eDiscovery Specialist (Entry-to-Mid) 11.8 /100
132 Pharmacy Aide (Mid-Level) 11.8 /100
133 Sales Operations Analyst (Mid-Level) 11.8 /100
134 Marketing Analyst (Mid-Level) 11.9 /100
135 Music Producer (Mid-Level) 11.9 /100
136 Prepress Technician and Worker (Mid-Level) 11.9 /100
137 Fund Accountant (Mid-Level) 12.0 /100
138 Alarm Monitoring Operator (Entry Level) 12.0 /100
139 Previs Artist (Mid-Level) 12.1 /100
140 Concept Artist — Film/Games (Mid-Level) 12.1 /100
141 Medical Billing Specialist (Mid-Level) 12.2 /100
142 Cook, Fast Food (Entry-to-Mid) 12.2 /100
143 Adult Content Editor (Mid-Level) 12.2 /100
144 School Data Manager (Mid-Level) 12.5 /100
145 Patient Access Representative (Mid-Level) 12.5 /100
146 Mail Room Coordinator (Entry-Level) 12.5 /100
147 Parking Attendant (Mid-Level) 12.5 /100
148 Parcel Sorting Machine Operator (Mid-Level) 12.5 /100
149 Goods Inwards Inspector (Mid-Level) 12.5 /100
150 Title Examiner (Mid-Level) 12.6 /100
151 Legal Support Workers, All Other (Mid-Level) 12.6 /100
152 Electrical and Electronics Drafter (Mid-Level) 12.7 /100
153 Staffing Coordinator (Mid-Level) 12.7 /100
154 Songwriter (Mid-Level) 12.7 /100
155 Marketing Automation Specialist (Mid-Level) 12.8 /100
156 Database Developer (Mid-Level) 12.9 /100
157 E-Learning Developer (Mid-Level) 13.0 /100
158 Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant (Mid-Level) 13.1 /100
159 Court, Municipal, and License Clerk (Mid-Level) 13.2 /100
160 Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker (Mid-Level) 13.2 /100
161 Customer Service Representative (Mid-Level) 13.2 /100
162 Pricing Analyst (Mid-Level) 13.2 /100
163 Trimmer — Cannabis (Mid-Level) 13.2 /100
164 Product Development Engineering Drafter (Mid-Level) 13.2 /100
165 Digital Fashion Designer — CLO 3D (Mid-Level) 13.3 /100
166 Copywriter (Mid-Level) 13.3 /100
167 CCTV Operator (Mid-Level) 13.5 /100
168 Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assembler (Mid-Level) 13.5 /100
169 Frontend Developer (Mid-Level) 13.5 /100
170 Localisation QA Tester (Mid-Level) 13.6 /100
171 Systems Administrator (Mid-Level) 13.7 /100
172 Skip Tracer (Entry-Mid Level) 13.7 /100
173 Shopify Developer (Mid-Level) 13.7 /100
174 Production Planner (Mid-Level) 13.7 /100
175 Master Control Room Operator (Mid-Level) 13.8 /100
176 Postal Service Clerk (Mid-Level) 13.8 /100
177 Hospital Ward Clerk (Mid-Level) 14.0 /100
178 Credentialing Specialist (Mid-Level) 14.0 /100
179 Night Auditor (Entry-to-Mid) 14.0 /100
180 Log Grader and Scaler (Mid-Level) 14.0 /100
181 Mechanical Drafter (Mid-Level) 14.1 /100
182 Advertising Assistant (Entry-to-Mid Level) 14.1 /100
183 Business Intelligence Analyst (Mid-Level) 14.2 /100
184 Extruding and Forming Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Synthetic and Glass Fibers (Mid-Level) 14.2 /100
185 Marketing Operations Manager (Mid-Level) 14.2 /100
186 Dispatch Operative (Mid-Level) 14.2 /100
187 Marine Engineering Drafter (Mid-Level) 14.3 /100
188 Scopist (Mid-Level) 14.3 /100
189 Paralegal and Legal Assistant (Mid-Level) 14.5 /100
190 Trainee Solicitor (Entry-Level) 14.5 /100
191 Debt Recovery Officer (Mid-Level) 14.5 /100
192 Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerk (Entry-to-Mid) 14.6 /100
193 Grant Writer (Mid-Level) 14.6 /100
194 Test Environment Manager (Mid-Level) 14.7 /100
195 Motion Graphics Designer (Mid-Level) 14.7 /100
196 Advertising Media Buyer (Mid-Level) 15.0 /100
197 Network Administrator (Mid-Level) 15.1 /100
198 Medical Records Specialist (Mid-Level) 15.1 /100
199 Counter and Rental Clerk (Entry-to-Mid) 15.2 /100
200 Helper--Production Worker (Entry-to-Mid Level) 15.2 /100
Personal AI Risk Assessment Report

What's your AI risk score?

We're building a free tool that analyses your career against millions of data points and gives you a personal risk score with transition paths. We'll only build it if there's demand.

No spam. We'll only email you if we build it.

The AI-Proof Career Guide

The AI-Proof Career Guide

We've found clear patterns in the data about what actually protects careers from disruption. We'll publish it free — but only if people want it.

No spam. We'll only email you if we write it.

About This Data

All scores are generated using the AIJRI (AI Job Resistance Index) methodology v3, a composite scoring framework that evaluates each role across resistance, evidence, barriers, protective principles, and AI growth correlation. Scores range from 0 (no resistance) to 100 (maximum resistance). Roles scoring below 33 are classified RED. Those below 20 are RED Imminent.

For the inverse of this analysis — the jobs most resistant to AI — see Jobs That AI Cannot Replace.

About the Authors

Nathan House

Nathan House

AI and cybersecurity expert with 30 years of hands-on experience. Nathan founded StationX (500,000+ students) and built JobZone Risk to ensure people invest their career development in the right direction.

HAL

StationX HAL

Custom AI infrastructure built by Nathan House for StationX. HAL co-develops JobZone Risk end-to-end: the scoring methodology, the assessment pipeline, every role assessment, and the statistical analysis that powers these articles — all directed by Nathan.