Lower AI-risk careers
Occupations scoring under 20 on our Generative AI vulnerability index. These roles still concentrate important work in physical, hands-on, or judgment-heavy duties that current models do not fully automate.
“AI-safe” here is comparative, not absolute. Always pair the score with BLS pay and growth, then verify the task breakdown before planning a switch. For the high-exposure end of the catalog, see high AI-risk jobs.
30 occupations in the lower-risk band · pilot catalog
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#1
FirefightersControl and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.
$59,280 · growth +3.7% · 15 safer tasks
2
Lower automation risk
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#2
Landscaping and Groundskeeping WorkersLandscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.
$39,150 · growth +4.7% · 15 safer tasks
2
Lower automation risk
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#3
Maids and Housekeeping CleanersPerform any combination of light cleaning duties to maintain private households or commercial establishments, such as hotels and hospitals, in a clean and orderly manner. Duties may include making beds, replenishing linens, cleaning rooms and halls, and vacuuming.
$35,510 · growth +0.6% · 15 safer tasks
2
Lower automation risk
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#4
RoofersCover roofs of structures with shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, or related materials. May spray roofs, sidings, and walls with material to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures.
$55,440 · growth +5.3% · 14 safer tasks
6
Lower automation risk
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#5
Cooks, RestaurantPrepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.
$37,390 · growth +12.1% · 14 safer tasks
7
Lower automation risk
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#6
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersUse hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.
$53,750 · growth +2.4% · 14 safer tasks
7
Lower automation risk
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#7
Painters, Construction and MaintenancePaint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May remove old paint to prepare surface prior to painting. May mix colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency.
$49,400 · growth +3.0% · 13 safer tasks
9
Lower automation risk
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#8
Veterinary Technologists and TechniciansPerform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.
$47,380 · growth +9.4% · 14 safer tasks
9
Lower automation risk
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#9
Brickmasons and BlockmasonsLay and bind building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block, and terra-cotta block, with mortar and other substances, to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures.
$62,120 · growth +1.1% · 12 safer tasks
10
Lower automation risk
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#10
ElectriciansInstall, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.
$63,190 · growth +9.2% · 13 safer tasks
10
Lower automation risk
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#11
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersInstall or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.
$61,010 · growth +10.9% · 14 safer tasks
10
Lower automation risk
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#12
Home Health AidesMonitor the health status of an individual with disabilities or illness, and address their health-related needs, such as changing bandages, dressing wounds, or administering medication. Work is performed under the direction of offsite or intermittent onsite licensed nursing staff. Provide assistance with routine healthcare tasks or activities of daily living, such as feeding, bathing, toileting, or ambulation. May also help with tasks such as preparing meals, doing light housekeeping, and doing laundry depending on the patient's abilities.
— · growth — · 14 safer tasks
10
Lower automation risk
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#13
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping CleanersKeep buildings in clean and orderly condition. Perform heavy cleaning duties, such as cleaning floors, shampooing rugs, washing walls and glass, and removing rubbish. Duties may include tending furnace and boiler, performing routine maintenance activities, notifying management of need for repairs, and cleaning snow or debris from sidewalk.
$36,840 · growth +2.2% · 13 safer tasks
10
Lower automation risk
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#14
Musicians and SingersPlay one or more musical instruments or sing. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for sound or video recording.
— · growth +0.3% · 14 safer tasks
10
Lower automation risk
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#15
ParamedicsAdminister basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses. May administer medication intravenously, use equipment such as EKGs, or administer advanced life support to sick or injured individuals.
$60,600 · growth +5.7% · 12 safer tasks
11
Lower automation risk
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#16
Emergency Medical TechniciansAssess injuries and illnesses and administer basic emergency medical care. May transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.
$44,470 · growth +5.8% · 10 safer tasks
12
Lower automation risk
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#17
Manicurists and PedicuristsClean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.
$35,760 · growth +9.2% · 12 safer tasks
13
Lower automation risk
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#18
Construction LaborersPerform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.
$47,120 · growth +7.3% · 14 safer tasks
14
Lower automation risk
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#19
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersAssemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.
$63,800 · growth +6.8% · 11 safer tasks
14
Lower automation risk
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#20
Cooks, Fast FoodPrepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of these cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment.
$30,890 · growth +0.6% · 13 safer tasks
15
Lower automation risk
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#21
Automotive Service Technicians and MechanicsDiagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
$50,620 · growth +5.0% · 12 safer tasks
16
Lower automation risk
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#22
CarpentersConstruct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.
$60,580 · growth +3.9% · 12 safer tasks
16
Lower automation risk
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#23
Flight AttendantsMonitor safety of the aircraft cabin. Provide services to airline passengers, explain safety information, serve food and beverages, and respond to emergency incidents.
$63,580 · growth +8.8% · 13 safer tasks
16
Lower automation risk
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#24
BartendersMix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
$34,340 · growth +5.0% · 12 safer tasks
17
Lower automation risk
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#25
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesCare for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.
$64,400 · growth +3.0% · 12 safer tasks
17
Lower automation risk
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#26
BakersMix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.
$37,160 · growth +5.5% · 12 safer tasks
18
Lower automation risk
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#27
Sheet Metal WorkersFabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.
$61,800 · growth +2.5% · 12 safer tasks
18
Lower automation risk
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#28
Aircraft Mechanics and Service TechniciansDiagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
$79,870 · growth +5.4% · 13 safer tasks
19
Lower automation risk
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#29
Dentists, GeneralExamine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.
$170,950 · growth +5.7% · 9 safer tasks
19
Lower automation risk
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#30
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal ServicePrepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Time-stamp, open, read, sort, and route incoming mail; and address, seal, stamp, fold, stuff, and affix postage to outgoing mail or packages. Duties may also include keeping necessary records and completed forms.
$39,280 · growth -7.2% · 12 safer tasks
19
Lower automation risk
Why these roles score lower
Lower scores usually reflect more physical or on-site work, fewer purely digital tasks, and more duties that require presence, dexterity, or licensed judgment. Open any profile to see the exact task mix — that is the proprietary layer search engines cannot get from a generic “jobs AI will replace” listicle.
FAQ
What are AI-safe careers?
In this directory, “safer” means a Generative AI vulnerability score under 20 — work that still leans on physical presence, hands-on craft, regulated judgment, or other duties current models struggle to replace end-to-end.
Does a low AI score mean the job is future-proof?
No. BLS growth, wages, credentials, and industry cycles still matter. A low score only says Generative AI task exposure is comparatively limited today.
How do I transition into a lower-risk career?
Start from your current occupation’s alternatives matrix, which ranks destinations by shared O*NET Detailed Work Activities, then open the destination task page to see which duties remain durable.