Jobs with the Lowest Risk of Automation

Some jobs will likely never be taken over by AI and automation. Why? Because they are either extremely hands on, require special knowledge to carry out or each case is so drastically different from the next, there is no one answer every time. 

These roles are something machines and robotics simply cannot replicate, at least at the current date. From music therapists to athletic trainers, these jobs are currently at the lowest risk of automation, according to the U.S. Career Institute. 

 

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Median annual wage: $49,130

Projected growth by 2031: 11.1%

 

Mental health and substance abuse social workers offer counseling and support, assist with treatment, and work with families to provide education and help for those suffering from mental health or substance abuse issues.

They may connect the afflicted individuals and their families to needed services, advocate for their well-being, and helped reduce the stigma associated with these issues. 

Healthcare Social Workers

Median annual wage: $60,840

Projected growth by 2031: 11.1%

 

Healthcare social workers provide people with the emotional support they need to handle illness, whether short-term or chronic. They also advise family caregivers and patients regarding referrals for other types of services they may need on their healthcare journey, as well as try to keep patients healthy. 

As each case is remarkably different from the next, automation for this type of job would be impossible. 

 

Music Therapists

Median annual wage: $59,500

Projected growth by 2031: 11.2%

 

A music therapist helps improve how we feel, think, and communicate through music. This can include reducing stress, expressing emotions, or even helping with physical skills.

Music therapists often work in place like hospitals, schools and therapy centers. 

Art Therapists

Median annual wage: $59,500

Projected growth by 2031: 11.2%

 

Art therapists work in much the same way music therapists do, but with art. By using visual arts and the creative process around them, these therapists help individuals express themselves, explore their emotions, and address various mental health or emotional challenges.

Art therapy fosters a safe and supportive environment for people to create art and through it, gain insight, manage stress, and improve their overall mental and emotional health. 

 

Marriage and Family Therapists

Median annual wage: $49,880

Projected growth by 2031: 13.9%

 

Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) specialize in helping couples and families navigate relationship issues. They provide counseling to address communication problems, conflicts, parenting challenges, and emotional difficulties.

The goal of an MFT is help families and couples get along better and have healthier relationships with one another throughout life. 

Occupational Therapists

Median annual wage: $85, 570

Projected growth by 2031: 13.9%

 

The terms "occupational therapy" and "physical therapy" are often used interchangeably but these jobs are different in their goals. Occupational therapists (OTs) help people gain the skills they need to help them continue to live independently. 

To ensure clients can resume engagement in everyday activities, the OT focuses on the patient's fine motor skills, cognitive function, and emotional well-being. 

Orthotists and Prosthetists

Median annual wage: $75,440

Projected growth by 2031: $16.8%

 

Other positions that are different from case to case and not at risk of automation are that of orthotists and prosthetists. They specialize in designing, fitting, and providing devices that allow people with musculoskeletal or limb-related challenges to retain their independence.

They create and fit people with devices like braces, splints, and supports to help them improve their body's alignment and function, while prosthetists design and fit prosthetic limbs for those who have lost a limb due to amputation, injury or congenital conditions.

 

Physical Therapists

Median annual wage: $95,620

Projected growth by 2031: 16.9%

 

Physical therapists are focused on an individual's pain and movement. They assess a person's injury or condition and create an exercise program for that individual to improve their strength and mobility.

The goal for a physical therapist is to help a patient regain their independence and prevent future issues. 

Athletic Trainers

Median annual wage: $48,420

Projected growth by 2031: 17.5%

 

The terms "athletic trainer" and "coach" are also used interchangeably, but they are, once again, very different occupations.

An athletic trainer works with professional athletes and those who are physically active to assess and address injuries, provide immediate care (for example, on the sports field) and develop rehab programs to help people recover and get back into the game. 

They also work to prevent injury by educating people and through proper conditioning and nutrition. In doing so, they ensure the safety and well-being of athletes on and off the field. 

Coaches and Scouts

Median annual wage: $38,970

Projected growth by 2031: 20%

 

Coaches and scouts, while under the same category through the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, are also very different from one another. 

Coaches train and otherwise guide athletes or teams of all kinds to do their very best while playing any sport. They provide instruction to players and devise practice sessions and strategies to improve a team's skills. 

Scouts identify talented athletes and recruit them to pro teams. They evaluate and assess the athlete's skills, strengths, and weaknesses by attending games and analyzing their performance data. They then assist teams in making a decision about acquiring a particular athlete through what they've learned. 

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Post-Secondary

Median annual wage: $77,440

Projected growth by 2031: 21.5%

 

Without nursing instructors and teachers we'd simply have no nurses. They create lesson plans, teach nursing theory and skills, and assess students' progress as they go. 

The nursing instructor is essential in preparing future nurses for success in the field of health care. Often, they are also nurses themselves and come with a wealth of valuable on-the-job insight. 

Mental Health Counselors

Median annual wage: $48,520

Projected growth by 2031: 22.1%

Those suffering from emotional or psychological challenges will often see a mental health counselor. A person in this role provides a client with a safe space to discuss their concerns and may work in a counseling center, school or private practice. 

The goal is to assist people in improving their mental health by listening to their concerns, helping them explore their feelings and thoughts and developing strategies to help them cope with issues long after their their sessions with the counselor are over. 

Physician Assistants

Median annual wage: $121,530

Projected growth by 2031: $27.6%

A physicians assistant can conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, and prescribe medications, but will always do so under the supervision of a physician. 

Theirs is a more streamlined educational program than a doctor's. They usually have a master's degree in physician assistant studies, which typically takes up to three years in grad school.

A doctor, on the other hand, spends up to 15 years in training — this includes four years of medical school followed by several years of residency.

Choreographers

Median annual wage: $42,700

Projected growth by 2031: 29.7%

 

No two choreography jobs are the same. A person in this position creates a dance routine for dancers that typically tells a story on stage, in movies and TV or in music videos.

The choreographer will teach dancers the steps and make sure everything looks great when they are performed. (Think of them as directors of dance performances.) While they don't usually work full time, the position can be lucrative depending on the client. 

Nurse Practitioners

Median annual wage: $120,680

Projected growth by 2031: 45.7%

 

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are a step above registered nurses in that they provide a wider range of medical services. They can diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, and prescribe medications.

NPs can work independently or in collaboration with physicians and focus on disease prevention, and patient education.