The Labor Department's latest ten-year employment outlook, released Thursday, paints a stark picture for workers in several sectors. While healthcare continues to dominate job growth, a separate list identifies 30 occupations projected to see the fastest percentage decline in employment through 2035.
Topping the list are word processors and typists, whose ranks are expected to plummet by more than 34% over the next decade, according to federal projections. This decline outpaces even the growth rates of some of the fastest-growing industries. The trend is largely attributed to the increasing adoption of AI and automation in clerical tasks.
The full list of 30 occupations, which includes telemarketers, sewing machine operators, and textile pressers, is dominated by roles with median annual incomes below $50,000, according to Labor Department data. These are often routine, manual, or administrative positions that are particularly susceptible to technological disruption.
Cashiers Face the Largest Absolute Job Loss
While word processors and typists see the steepest percentage decline, the numeric drop in jobs is far more dramatic for cashiers. As of 2025, over 3.1 million Americans work as cashiers; by 2035, that number is projected to fall to approximately 2.9 million—a loss of more than 200,000 jobs. That's roughly 14 times the job loss expected for word processors and typists, though it represents a 6.5% decline in the cashier workforce.
The Labor Department's projections also highlight the broader economic shifts affecting these roles. The ongoing digitization of the economy and the rise of self-service technologies are key drivers, alongside the continued growth of e-commerce, which reduces the need for in-person retail staff.
Uncertainty in Projections
Despite the detailed forecasts, the Labor Department cautions that its models cannot fully “account for the inherent uncertainty of predicting long-term changes in the labor market.” Technological breakthroughs, policy shifts, or unexpected economic shocks could alter these trajectories.
For policymakers, these projections underscore the need for workforce development and retraining programs, particularly for workers in the most vulnerable occupations. As the labor market evolves, the challenge will be to ensure that displaced workers have pathways to new opportunities in growing sectors like healthcare and technology.
The full interactive tables, available on the Labor Department's website, allow users to explore both the percentage and numeric employment changes for each of the 30 occupations.
