We built this Career Leaderboard because the conversation around AI and jobs feels broken. There's hype, there's fear, and there's a lot of people trying to sell you something based on that uncertainty.
As technologists building AI systems, we're genuinely concerned about the misinformation surrounding AI displacement. So, we decided to create a simple, clear resource grounded in actual data, not speculation or profit motives.
Across 922 BLS occupations, the most AI-resilient careers share three traits: physical presence that can't be replicated remotely, high-stakes judgment where a licensed human is legally required to sign off, and sustained labor demand over the next decade. Roughly 20% of careers fall into a high-risk tier where AI can automate the majority of core tasks — the other 80% face partial automation, not elimination.
How We Created This Leaderboard
OK, we don't have a crystal ball into the future. So we started with the next best thing: the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and their jobs openings and growth projections data. But AI technology is moving so quickly, BLS projections may not reflect its true impact. So we layered on predictions from the technologists building AI, the industry leaders who see its impact on their company, and the economists who forecast changes on a macro level (our "AI-Proof Score").
For a full breakdown of how scores are calculated, see our Scoring Methodology.
So What Makes A Career AI-Proof?
The most AI-proof jobs are hard to automate and growing.
They require physical presence, involve high-stakes judgment, demand legal accountability, or rely on human trust as the core product. We also capture how AI will help certain fields, by removing bottlenecks and unlocking new opportunities.
Expand each trait card below to see more detailed descriptions.
Resilience
Opportunity
Dentists, nurses, and plumbers rank high because they do things robots can't do reliably, and society requires a licensed human in charge. Meanwhile, many knowledge work roles are more AI-vulnerable than expected because pattern recognition and analysis (AI's strength) are central to the work. Growth matters too: A resilient job in decline is less valuable than a vulnerable job growing rapidly.
Initial Insight - Highly Educated Roles Aren't Always AI-Proof
One of the most surprising findings: AI resilience is not always tied to education level. Some of the safest careers — Home Health Aides, Plumbers, Electricians, HVAC technicians — require trade certifications or associate degrees. Conversely, highly educated roles like Credit Analysts and Junior Software Developers score surprisingly low because AI excels at pattern-matching and analysis.
Initial Recommendation - How People Should Adapt
If your job scores low, don't panic. First, understand why it scores low—what specific tasks are automatable? Then double down on the defensible parts.
The key insight: within most careers, there are defensible and vulnerable specializations. For example:
The pattern is consistent: move from execution-focused roles toward roles that require judgment, architectural thinking, client relationships, and accountability. The real strategy is to move toward work that requires human presence, judgment, and accountability—and to help your employers understand which parts of your role AI can handle, freeing you to focus on what only you can do.
What About Students and New Grads?
You're choosing a career in unprecedented times, and the job market for new graduates is getting tougher. Entry-level positions are shrinking as AI handles routine tasks, and companies increasingly expect demonstrated competence from day one. This makes skills more important than ever.
Use this leaderboard not to avoid tech, but to make informed bets. The safest careers aren't always about hiding from AI — they're about building human-centric skills like judgment under uncertainty, direct accountability, and relationships that matter. Also look for roles with growth opportunities in sectors with strong labor demand over the next decade.