AI Job Impact Index 2026

Which jobs will AI replace, enhance, or leave unchanged? We scored every occupation in our database on a 1–10 AI disruption scale based on task automation potential, required human judgment, physical dexterity needs, and current AI capability trajectory.

AI-Enhanced (Growing)

Partially Automated

High Disruption Risk

BLS salary data

AI research-based scoring

Updated June 2026

Free & interactive

Salary vs. AI Impact

Each dot represents one occupation. Hover to see details.

Low Risk (1-3) Moderate (4-6) High Risk (7-10)

Explore the Full Index

Methodology: How We Score AI Impact

Our AI Impact Score (1-10) evaluates each occupation across five dimensions:

Task Automation Potential (30%) — What percentage of daily tasks can current or near-term AI systems perform? Jobs heavy in data entry, pattern recognition, and routine analysis score higher.
Required Human Judgment (25%) — How much nuanced decision-making, empathy, ethical reasoning, or creative thinking does the role demand? High human judgment needs reduce the score.
Physical Dexterity Requirements (20%) — Does the job require complex physical manipulation in unpredictable environments? Skilled trades, surgery, and hands-on care score lower (less AI risk).
AI Capability Trajectory (15%) — How quickly are AI systems improving for this job's core tasks? Fields with rapid AI advancement (coding, translation, image generation) score higher.
Historical Precedent (10%) — Have similar roles been automated in the past? What happened to employment levels? This provides a reality check on theoretical scores.

Score Interpretation

1-3 (AI-Enhanced, Green): These jobs will primarily benefit from AI. Workers who adopt AI tools will become more productive and earn more. Job growth is expected to remain stable or increase.

4-6 (Partially Automated, Yellow): Significant portions of these roles will be automated, but the jobs themselves will evolve rather than disappear. Workers will need to reskill to stay competitive.

7-10 (High Disruption Risk, Red): These occupations face substantial disruption from AI within the next 5-10 years. Many tasks can already be performed by AI systems. Workers should actively plan career transitions.

Key Findings

Safest Careers in the AI Era

Jobs requiring physical presence, complex human interaction, and unpredictable environments are most resilient. Skilled trades (electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians), healthcare providers (surgeons, physical therapists, nurses), and creative professionals with strong human elements score lowest on disruption risk.

Most Vulnerable Occupations

Roles centered on routine data processing, basic content creation, standard customer service, and repetitive analysis face the highest disruption risk. Many of these positions are already seeing significant automation with tools like ChatGPT, automated accounting software, and AI customer service systems.

The AI Premium

Across all categories, workers who adopt AI tools in their current roles earn 10-25% more than peers who don't. This "AI premium" is strongest in technology (+20-30%), finance (+15-22%), and creative fields (+12-18%).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will AI actually replace jobs or just change them?▼

Most research suggests AI will transform jobs rather than eliminate them entirely. Even highly-scored occupations (7-10) will likely see job restructuring rather than total elimination. However, workers who don't adapt risk being displaced by those who leverage AI tools effectively.

How accurate are these AI impact predictions?▼

No prediction is perfect, especially with rapidly evolving technology. Our scores are based on current AI capabilities, published research from institutions like MIT, McKinsey, and the World Economic Forum, and trends in AI adoption. We update scores as AI capabilities change.

My job scored high on AI impact. Should I panic?▼

No. A high score means your role will change significantly, not that you'll necessarily lose your job. The best strategy is to start learning AI tools relevant to your field now. Workers who combine domain expertise with AI skills become more valuable, not less.

Why do some high-paying jobs have low AI scores?▼

High-paying roles often involve complex decision-making, leadership, relationship management, and strategic thinking — tasks where AI currently serves as an assistant rather than a replacement. A surgeon, for example, may use AI for diagnostics but the physical skill and judgment remain irreplaceable.

How often is this index updated?▼

We review and update scores quarterly to reflect new AI capabilities, industry adoption trends, and employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.