Researchers from OpenAI, OpenResearch, and the University of Pennsylvania, in a 2024 Science publication, pinpointed 34 career paths that cannot be made redundant by AI technologies. These jobs generally demand a physical presence, manual labor, or work within unpredictable surroundings.
The highest earning position was that of electrical power-line installers and repairers, with a median income of $92,560, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, this job had a high fatality rate, showing it is not without risk.
The study also identified other AI-resistant yet well-remunerated roles, including athletes and pile-driver operators, amongst others. Meanwhile, many jobs with low AI automation risk, such as bartending and cafeteria work, came with lower income levels.
The same research indicated that higher-earning office jobs in sectors like finance and software are highly exposed to AI automation. Jobs in fields such as securities, commodity contracts, other financial investments, and data processing were most vulnerable, these roles command average annual salaries of $109,710, $79,000, and $117,000 respectively.
Data from a 2025 Stanford study, which used ADP payroll records, confirms this, revealing a 13% decrease in employment in AI-sensitive areas such as software development and customer service since late 2022. Major banks, like Goldman Sachs Group and JPMorgan & Chase, have started cutting their junior analyst roles as they adopt AI in their operations.
The researchers assessed the likely impact of AI by gauging the time that could be saved by using AI to handle certain tasks within each role. They even automated some tasks in their own roles and asked an AI program to do the same, resulting in comparable ratings. According to their findings, 15% of tasks in all jobs could be completed faster with AI, with no quality loss. This figure could rise to between 47% and 56% if AI is combined with tools and software specialized for particular tasks. The researchers concluded that these developments could have far-reaching effects on the job market in the U.S as AI's capabilities continue to develop.