The 10 Jobs With the Biggest Declines
From 2023 to 2033, the BLS predicts that there will be nearly two million job cuts in total. Cashiers are set to make up 18% of this number, primarily due to self-checkout options and increased online shopping.
| Job | Projected Decline in Number of Jobs (2023-2033) | 2023 Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Cashiers | -353K | $29,720 |
| Customer service representatives | -149K | $39,680 |
| Office clerks | -148K | $40,480 |
| Fast food cooks | -94K | $29,260 |
| Supervisors of retail sales workers | -91K | $46,730 |
| Bookkeeping and accounting clerks | -84K | $47,440 |
| Supervisors of office workers | -69K | $63,450 |
| Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks | -64K | $39,780 |
| Tellers | -51K | $37,640 |
| Data entry keyers | -41K | $37,790 |
Job titles have been shortened in some cases for readability. Full job titles in these cases are as follows: office clerks, general; cooks, fast food; first-line supervisors of retail sales workers; bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks; first-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers.
Overall, technology is a major contributor to the job cuts in these roles. This is because many of these jobs are entry-level positions and their tasks can be partially or fully automated. For instance, self-service systems, social media, and mobile apps can often help customers to do simple tasks without talking to a customer service representative.
The BLS also expects that fast food cooks will be among the roles with the highest job cuts, due to automated systems and other streamlining efforts. Interestingly, restaurant cooks are among the jobs with the most projected growth. This is due to customers preferring healthier foods. To prepare high quality meals, restaurants will need experienced cooks, though unfortunately the median pay offered in restaurants is only slightly higher than fast food establishments.
Source: Visual Capitalist
