AI Exposure Analysis
How vulnerable is the US workforce to AI automation? This analysis breaks down AI displacement risk across 832 occupations covering 169,956,400 workers, using O*NET task-level exposure scores and BLS 2024-2034 employment projections.
Workforce Risk Distribution
AI Risk by Education Level
Average AI exposure score for occupations grouped by typical entry-level education requirement.
| Education Level | Occupations | Avg AI Exposure |
|---|---|---|
| Some college, no degree | 7 | 49% |
| Bachelor's degree | 178 | 41% |
| Associate's degree | 48 | 41% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 326 | 38% |
| Postsecondary nondegree award | 51 | 36% |
| Master's degree | 40 | 35% |
| No formal educational credential | 109 | 33% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 73 | 30% |
AI Risk by Wage Band
Average AI exposure by median annual wage. Higher pay does not always mean lower automation risk.
Top 20 Most AI-Exposed Occupations
| # | Occupation | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks | 95% |
| 2 | Billing and posting clerks | 88% |
| 3 | Accountants and auditors | 87% |
| 4 | Office clerks, general | 84% |
| 5 | Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants | 83% |
| 6 | Financial managers | 81% |
| 7 | Library assistants, clerical | 80% |
| 8 | Medical secretaries and administrative assistants | 80% |
| 9 | Word processors and typists | 80% |
| 10 | File clerks | 79% |
| 11 | Loan interviewers and clerks | 79% |
| 12 | Order clerks | 79% |
| 13 | Payroll and timekeeping clerks | 79% |
| 14 | Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents | 79% |
| 15 | Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive | 77% |
| 16 | Computer occupations, all other | 76% |
| 17 | Detectives and criminal investigators | 76% |
| 18 | Receptionists and information clerks | 76% |
| 19 | Correspondence clerks | 72% |
| 20 | Procurement clerks | 71% |
Top 20 Most AI-Resilient Occupations
| # | Occupation | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helpers--electricians | 5% |
| 2 | Manufactured building and mobile home installers | 11% |
| 3 | Physicians, all other | 11% |
| 4 | Electricians | 13% |
| 5 | Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians | 13% |
| 6 | Pediatricians, general | 13% |
| 7 | Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 13% |
| 8 | Drywall and ceiling tile installers | 14% |
| 9 | Landscaping and groundskeeping workers | 14% |
| 10 | Recreational vehicle service technicians | 14% |
| 11 | Stonemasons | 14% |
| 12 | Cement masons and concrete finishers | 15% |
| 13 | Construction laborers | 15% |
| 14 | Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining | 15% |
| 15 | Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers | 15% |
| 16 | Millwrights | 15% |
| 17 | Orderlies | 15% |
| 18 | Terrazzo workers and finishers | 15% |
| 19 | Agricultural equipment operators | 16% |
| 20 | Structural metal fabricators and fitters | 16% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many US jobs are at high risk of AI displacement?
Approximately 73,586,600 workers (43% of the tracked workforce) are in occupations rated as high or very high AI displacement risk. This is based on O*NET task analysis of 832 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Which education levels face the most AI risk?
Occupations typically requiring some college, no degree have the highest average AI exposure at 49%. This is followed by bachelor's degree at 41%. Higher education does not always mean lower risk — many analytical and data-processing roles require degrees.
Do higher-paying jobs face less AI risk?
The relationship between pay and AI risk is nuanced. Workers earning Under $35K face an average AI exposure of 36%, while those earning Over $120K face 39%. Mid-range salaries often face the highest risk due to routine analytical and administrative tasks.
What types of tasks are most vulnerable to AI?
Tasks involving routine data processing, pattern recognition, simple decision-making based on rules, and repetitive documentation are most susceptible to AI automation. Tasks requiring physical dexterity, creative problem-solving, complex interpersonal skills, and unstructured decision-making remain difficult for current AI systems.