30 Jobs That Will Soon Be Gone for Good

Plan ahead if you work in one of these vanishing industries.

By John Csiszar Sep 29, 2021 Boost Your Career

The unemployment spike caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020 was 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 5.9 percent. However, there are some jobs that may never return, and it has little to do with the coronavirus itself.

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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.

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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: Aug. 9, 2021

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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%

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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%

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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%

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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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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%

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%

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%

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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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%

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%

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%

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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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%

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%

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%

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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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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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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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%

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%

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%

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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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%

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%

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%

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.

About the Author

John Csiszar

After earning a B.A. in English with a Specialization in Business from UCLA, John Csiszar worked in the financial services industry as a registered representative for 18 years. Along the way, Csiszar earned both Certified Financial Planner and Registered Investment Adviser designations, in addition to being licensed as a life agent, while working for both a major Wall Street wirehouse and for his own investment advisory firm. During his time as an advisor, Csiszar managed over $100 million in client assets while providing individualized investment plans for hundreds of clients.