30 Jobs That Will Soon Be Gone for Good

Seattle, USA – April 13, 2020: Late in the day a mailman wearing a mask crossing the street by Pike Place Market at the height of the Coronavirus city wide shutdown.

The unemployment spike caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020 has been devastating. More than 30 million Americans lost their jobs, and the unemployment rate spiked to nearly 20%. The good news is that jobs have been returning as more businesses reopen, and the current unemployment rate is 6.9%. However, there are some jobs that may never return, and it has little to do with the coronavirus itself.

The evolution of the job market is a natural occurrence. Over time, as the economy grows and technology advances, some jobs simply get phased out. Automation is a constant threat to certain types of jobs, as companies are constantly seeking ways to perform tasks more efficiently and inexpensively. Other jobs fall victim to funding limitations or simple obsolescence.

To help identify which jobs are most at risk, GOBankingRates analyzed occupational projection data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and found the jobs with the largest percentage decline in job growth outlook for 2019 to 2029. Jobs were ranked by the anticipated percentage of jobs lost over the next decade, from smallest to largest. To position yourself away from the most susceptible jobs, consider looking for an opening in a high-paying, fast-growing industry.

Last updated: Nov. 23, 2020

Male aircraft engineer in the hangar repairing and maintaining private jet airplane.

30. Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging and Systems Assemblers

• 2019 total employment: 43,900

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 7,600

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 17.4%

Chicago, USA - September 10, 2015: A USPS deliveryman sorting in the back of his truck on LaSalle street in the Loop late in the day.

29. Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors and Processing Machine Operators

• 2019 total employment: 98,500

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 17,600

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 17.8%

Close Up Of Apprentice Engineer Using Milling Machine.

28. Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

• 2019 total employment: 19,200

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 3,600

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 18.6%

Motor driven coil and spool winder and operator for winding cables, tubes, plastic profiles and simultaneously carry out length measuring and cutting, Sofia, FESTO Bulgaria, September 11, 2015.

27. Coil Winders, Tapers and Finishers

• 2019 total employment: 13,000

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 2,400

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 18.7%

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Engineer using laptop computer for maintenance in thermal power plant industrail.

26. Nuclear Technicians

• 2019 total employment: 6,700

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 1,300

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 18.9%

Latin american blue collar workers at an industrial laundry ironing clothes with steamers - Business industry concepts.

25. Pressers, Textile, Garment and Related Materials

• 2019 total employment: 38,300

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 7,200

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 18.9%

Young pensive businessman holding hand on chin and looking at desktop PC in the office.

24. Desktop Publishers

• 2019 total employment: 10,400

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 2,000

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 19%

Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) )that is being moved inside an underground tunnel.

23. Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

• 2019 total employment: 11,200

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 2,100

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 19%

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Air Duct, Air Pollution, Basement, Efficiency, Furnace, Healthy lifestyle, Heat, Human Hand, Men, Occupation, Quality Control, Repairing, Service, Work Tool, Working Class, air conditioner, repairman, working

22. Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons

• 2019 total employment: 800

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 200

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 19.3%

photographic-process-worker

21. Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators

• 2019 total employment: 12,300

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 2,400

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 19.4%

Asian blacksmith working with a grinder.

20. Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

• 2019 total employment: 29,000

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 5,600

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 19.5%

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 27: A produce vendor has her wares ready early on June 27, 2012 at the famed West Side Market in Cleveland, Ohio, celebrating 100 years of continuous operation in 2012.

19. Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers

• 2019 total employment: 72,900

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 14,600

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 20%

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Young female florist putting together a bouquet of mixed flowers while working at a table in her flower shop.

18. Floral Designers

• 2019 total employment: 51,800

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 10,400

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 20.1%

Secretary talking on telephone at hospital reception.

17. Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants

• 2019 total employment: 593,400

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 121,100

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 20.4%

Man works in an offset printing machine.

16. Prepress Technicians and Workers

• 2019 total employment: 30,200

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 6,300

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 20.7%

Worker Repair Cold Forging Machine.

15. Forging Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

• 2019 total employment: 16,400

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 3,500

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 21.1%

14. Postmasters and Mail Superintendents

• 2019 total employment: 13,400

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 2,900

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 21.9%

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Pretty Vietnamese receptionist talking on telephone at her workplace.

13. Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

• 2019 total employment: 171,800

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 38,000

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 22.1%

manufactured-building-installer

12. Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers

• 2019 total employment: 2,900

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 600

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 22.3%

Senior watchmaker repairing old clock in his workshop.

11. Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters

• 2019 total employment: 1,300

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 300

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 22.3%

Switch Board Operator (Young Woman) - Shot at Sutton-a-Lypse 2010.

10. Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

• 2019 total employment: 69,900

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 15,700

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 22.5%

Auto mechanic with customer.

9. Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles

• 2019 total employment: 10,400

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 2,400

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 23.2%

Smiling creative business man typing on desktop computer in office.

8. Data Entry Keyers

• 2019 total employment: 172,400

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 42,400

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 24.6%

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Young lovely couple sitting with manager at the travel agency office prepairing for a summer vacation.

7. Travel Agents

• 2019 total employment: 82,000

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 21,300

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 25.9%

a young call centre representative greets a caller in a large open plan office .

6. Telephone Operators

• 2019 total employment: 5,000

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 1,400

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 27.9%

Man in tree trimming palm fronds.

5. Cutters and Trimmers, Hand

• 2019 total employment: 9,800

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 2,900

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 29.9%

A man repairing a watch.

4. Watch and Clock Repairers

• 2019 total employment: 3,200

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 1,000

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 32.3%

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Engineer using laptop computer for maintenance in thermal power plant industrail.

3. Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

• 2019 total employment: 5,300

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 1,900

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 35.7%

Parking Enforcement giving a ticket.

2. Parking Enforcement Workers

• 2019 total employment: 8,100

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 2,900

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 36.2%

Shot of a young businesswoman working on a computer in an office.

1. Word Processors and Typists

• 2019 total employment: 52,700

• Projected change from 2019 to 2029:

  • Number of jobs lost: 19,200

  • Percentage of jobs lost: 36.4%

Young and focused graphic design student doing a freelance illustration work at home.

What This Means for You

Although this may seem like a long list of disappearing occupations, the truth is that the economy is constantly reinventing itself. While any number of catalysts may contribute to job losses in particular fields, the flip side of this is that other industries are rapidly expanding. In fact, many of the jobs that are falling by the wayside are lower-paying, while many of the fastest-growing jobs are in high-wage industries.

Here are some steps you can take to avoid falling victim to a dying industry:

• Get an education

Many of the jobs that will vanish due to automation are lower-skill jobs that don’t require a college education. Generally speaking, occupations that require a bachelor’s or master’s degree are more resistant to job loss due to automation.

• Research job trends

Although it can happen, industries aren’t generally wiped out overnight. Typically, jobs will show years of steady decline before they are completely obsolete. Consult statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to understand which industries are on the way out. Get ahead of the curve by looking for another job first.

• Choose a high-paying, fast-growing industry

BLS statistics don’t only show which industries are dying; they also show which jobs are on the upswing. If you’re looking to avoid potential job loss, consider hopping over to an industry with increasing demand.

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Gabrielle Olya contributed to the reporting for this article.

Methodology: In order to find jobs that will disappear this decade, GOBankingRates used the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ occupational projections and worker characteristics dataset to find the occupations with the largest (1) projected percent decline in employment for 2019-2029. Once these jobs were identified, GOBankingRates also found the following factors for each occupation: (2) 2019 total employment; (3) total employment change projection from 2019-2029; (4) 2019 median annual wage; (5) typical entry-level education required; (6) work experience in a related occupation required; and (7) typical on-the-job training required. All data was sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and is up to date as of Sept. 4, 2020.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 30 Jobs That Will Soon Be Gone for Good