20 Jobs Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI, According to Microsoft Research
AI is already built into nearly every part of how people work. In many careers, it’s actively doing the tasks workers used to handle themselves. And for some jobs, the overlap is so high, replacement isn’t just possible, it’s already happening.
This gallery ranks the 20 jobs most at risk of being replaced by AI, based on Microsoft research. It includes the AI applicability score, salary ranges, and how many people are still working in these jobs today.
👉 Click or Scroll to see which jobs AI is taking over first, and how close your own role might be.
Table of Contents
How the Jobs Were Ranked for AI Replacement Risk
To find out which jobs are most at risk of being replaced first, researchers analyzed AI usage across thousands of work-related tasks. According to Microsoft, which reviewed 200,000 anonymized user chats with Copilot, the focus was on what tasks AI is already performing, and how effectively.
Based on this analysis, each role received an “AI applicability score” to reflect how much of the job AI can realistically take over.
👉 Keep reading to see which jobs scored highest and what it means for the future of work.
Interpreters and Translators: #1 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
With an AI applicability score of 0.49, this field tops the list. Interpreters and translators, currently about 51,560 employed in the U.S., are increasingly replaced by tools that can instantly convert text and speech across languages.
Many AI tools are already handling document translation, localization, and even tone adjustment. Annual pay ranges from $35K to $85K, but AI can do the same work faster, cheaper, and at scale. It’s not a slow disruption, it’s already here.
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Historians: #2 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
Historians don’t just study the past, they synthesize it. And AI is proving shockingly good at that. With an applicability score of 0.48 and only 3,040 positions nationwide, this job is small but highly automatable.
AI can already summarize timelines, write reports, and compile data into coherent narratives. Earning between $45K and $102K, historians face direct competition from AI’s ability to sort through archives and deliver usable insights in seconds.
Passenger Attendants: #3 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
There are still over 20,000 passenger attendants in the U.S., earning around $30K to $65K. But Microsoft gives this job an AI applicability score of 0.47 because most of what these workers say, safety protocols, boarding instructions, and service announcements, is scripted.
AI tools are already replacing the communication parts of this role, especially on digital platforms and airport kiosks. The human touch might stick around, but the voice behind it may not.
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Sales Representatives (Services): #4 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
This job is massive, 1.14 million employed, earning anywhere from $50K to $130K, but that hasn’t slowed down AI’s encroachment. With an AI applicability score of 0.46, sales reps are being replaced not in theory, but in practice.
In 2025, 43% of salespeople already use AI daily to automate lead qualification, update CRMs, and research prospects. AI is doing it cleaner and faster than most humans.
Writers and Authors: #5 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
This one stings. AI isn’t coming for writers, it’s already here. Microsoft scored this role at 0.45, with 49,450 people currently employed and salaries ranging from $45K to $90K.
Many AI models can write newsletters, blog posts, ad copy, even full articles at lightning speed. The creative edge still matters, but for many writing tasks, AI is indistinguishable from the real thing.
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Customer Service Representatives: #6 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
This is one of the largest job categories in the U.S., with 2.86 million workers and salaries between $35K and $70K. But with an AI applicability score of 0.44, it’s also one of the most replaceable.
Microsoft found that AI is already resolving issues, answering FAQs, and processing service requests with high success. If your job involves pulling up a script and reading it to a customer, AI already has that covered, faster, cheaper, and 24/7.
CNC Tool Programmers: #7 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
CNC tool programmers earn between $55K and $100K, and there are about 28,030 of them working in the U.S. But with an AI applicability score of 0.44, the writing’s already on the machine.
These roles involve technical instructions, digital tooling, and process documentation, exactly the kind of structure for AI tasks. When code can be generated and updated by AI, the human input becomes just one more variable in the workflow.
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Telephone Operators: #8 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
With just 4,600 workers left nationwide, this is one of the smallest job fields still tracked. Earning around $35K to $55K, telephone operators now rely on tasks that AI handles with ease, call routing, directory assistance, and automated responses.
The AI applicability score is 0.42, and at this point, the job is mostly legacy. It’s not just disappearing, it’s already been replaced in most industries.
Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks: #9 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
AI is now a booking agent, trip planner, and itinerary manager all in one. With 119,270 people still employed in this role, earning $38K to $75K, Microsoft gives it an AI score of 0.41, because AI already handles the core tasks.
Price comparisons, schedule changes, rebookings, AI now handles them faster and more accurately than most humans. The travel industry isn’t replacing agents, it already has.
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Broadcast Announcers and Radio DJs: #10 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
There are 25,070 announcers and DJs left, making $35K to $90K, but that voice on the radio might not be human for much longer. With an AI score of 0.41, this job is already being mimicked by synthetic voices and auto-generated playlists.
Some AI-hosted shows are already live, and most listeners can’t tell. When your voice is replaceable and your script is formulaic, AI is just a click away.
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Brokerage Clerks: #11 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
This role has about 48,060 employees, earning $44K to $75K, but Microsoft gives it an AI score of 0.41 for good reason. Bookkeepers, account clerks, and brokerage assistants are already losing ground, up to 40% of their tasks are expected to shift to AI.
That includes processing trades, preparing reports, and reconciling records. Back-office finance runs on data, and AI now runs data like a machine, with fewer errors and no overtime.
Farm and Home Management Educators: #12 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
About 8,110 people work in this role, earning between $45K and $85K, and the AI applicability score lands at 0.41. These educators help families and communities with budgeting, nutrition, and sustainable practices, but a lot of this is already being offered by AI-powered tools.
When financial advice and home tips can be delivered instantly by an algorithm, the human coach starts to look more like a luxury than a necessity.
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Telemarketers: #13 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
This one’s no surprise. AI has been eating into this job for years. With 81,580 still employed, making $30K to $60K, and an AI applicability score of 0.40, the days of scripted cold calls are numbered.
AI now generates custom pitches, responds to objections, and follows up on leads automatically. In fact, the only calls many people answer today are from AI.
Concierges: #14 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
Concierges earn around $30K to $60K, and there are 41,020 still working in hotels, resorts, and high-end apartments. But Microsoft’s AI applicability score of 0.40 signals that much of their work, making reservations, giving directions, recommending attractions, can now be done by AI-driven kiosks and chat assistants.
Luxury may still call for a human smile, but the back-end tasks are already automated in many properties.
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Political Scientists: #15 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
Only 5,580 political scientists are employed in the U.S., but the risk is outsized. With an AI applicability score of 0.39 and salaries between $65K and $130K, these roles involve analysis, research, and forecasting, exactly what generative AI excels at.
Microsoft’s study shows AI tools performing policy modeling, data summarization, and historical comparisons with accuracy and speed. In this case, the research assistant never sleeps, and never misfiles a citation.
Reporters and Journalists: #16 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
There are 45,020 reporters and journalists nationwide, making $40K to $95K, and they’ve already felt the impact. Microsoft gave this role an AI applicability score of 0.39 because writing quick takes, summaries, and fact-checks is now handled by AI in many newsrooms.
The pressure is real: if your story can be written using press releases and public data, AI will do it faster.
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Mathematicians: #17 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
Mathematicians are among the highest-paid on this list, with salaries ranging from $85K to $160K, but the field only employs 2,220 people. Even so, with an AI applicability score of 0.39, their work, solving formulas, modeling systems, explaining logic, is increasingly matched by AI capabilities.
When the solution is just a prompt away, the need for human calculation shrinks dramatically.
Technical Writers: #18 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
Around 47,970 technical writers earn between $60K and $110K, crafting manuals, instructions, and how-to documents. Microsoft ranks this job with an AI score of 0.38, because AI is already producing structured documentation, step-by-step guides, and software FAQs without missing a beat.
It’s precise, fast, and repeatable, everything AI does best.
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Proofreaders and Copy Markers: #19 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
This small field includes just 5,490 workers, paid between $40K and $70K, but the AI applicability score is 0.38, and climbing. Tools like Grammarly and Copilot now detect grammar, clarity, tone, and even structural flow instantly.
Microsoft’s study confirms: AI doesn’t just proof, it rewrites. The red pen is going digital, and it doesn’t miss a typo.
Hosts and Hostesses: #20 Job Most at Risk of Being Replaced by AI
With 425,020 hosts and hostesses still on payroll and salaries between $25K and $40K, this role may seem safe. But Microsoft’s AI applicability score of 0.37 says otherwise.
Reservation systems, digital check-ins, and table assignment software are already handling large chunks of the job. In many restaurants, you’re now greeted by a screen, friendly, efficient, and tireless.
What This AI Job Risk List Really Means
AI isn’t coming for all jobs, but it’s already handling tasks people used to get paid to do. If your job is heavy on writing, repeating, processing, or assisting, it’s smart to assume parts of it are already automated.
Microsoft’s data makes one thing clear: the more structured and predictable your work is, the more exposed you are. That doesn’t mean you’re done, but it does mean it’s time to adapt.
Focus on learning AI tools, lean into what can’t be automated (strategy, people skills, creativity), and stay valuable, even as the job description changes.
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