These occupations are projected to shrink the fastest from 2024 to 2034, based on percent decline in employment. Figures come straight from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections “Fastest declining occupations” table and reflect employment in thousands. Below, each item starts with a quick data line—2024 employment, 2034 projection, and decline percentage—followed by a plain-English takeaway on why the role is falling and what adjacent skills might travel better. Projections aren’t destiny, but they’re a useful signal when you’re choosing where to invest tuition and time. The figures in this article are from US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
1. Word processors and typists
- 2024 employment: 40.0K
- 2034 projected: 25.6K
- Decline: −36.1%
This role has been absorbed by everyday office software, voice-to-text, and self-service templates. Most organizations expect administrative staff to draft documents directly or rely on shared style libraries rather than dedicated typists. If you like the precision and formatting side of this work, upskill into legal/medical admin that requires domain knowledge, or shift toward technical editing and documentation where quality control still matters. Spreadsheets, project tools, and basic database skills can open doors to higher-value operations work. 2. Roof bolters, mining
- 2024 employment: 2.3K
- 2034 projected: 1.5K
- Decline: −34.2%
As mining companies continue to automate and lean into machinery rather than people, the demand for highly specialized workers like roof bolters just keeps declining. Safety and productivity gains often come from mechanized systems and fewer people underground. Workers with mechanical aptitude can transition to maintenance of automated equipment, industrial safety roles, or transition to surface mining and heavy equipment operation, which have broader demand. Credentials in industrial maintenance, OSHA safety, and hydraulics are portable across energy and manufacturing.
3. Telephone operators
- 2024 employment: 4.0K
- 2034 projected: 2.9K
- Decline: −27.5%
Directory assistance and manual call routing have been replaced by contact-center software, IVR, and integrated CRM tools. Accessibility services are increasingly delivered through specialized tech, so there’s simply less need for general operator roles. If you’re drawn to communications work, look at customer experience, contact-center QA, or telecom provisioning—areas that value ticketing systems, soft skills, and analytics. Training on modern call-center platforms and basic data analysis (e.g., Excel, dashboards) helps you pivot.
4. Switchboard operators, including answering service
- 2024 employment: 36.6K
- 2034 projected: 27.0K
- Decline: −26.3%
Cloud phone systems, directory bots, and direct-dial extensions make manual switchboards rare nowadays. Many modern organizations route calls via software rules tied to calendars and roles. Skills in CRM navigation, ticket triage, and knowledge-base maintenance translate better than switchboard-specific experience. Consider roles in office coordination, scheduling, or frontline support that use the same attention-to-detail and customer care strengths but with modern tools.
5. Data entry keyers
- 2024 employment: 141.6K
- 2034 projected: 104.9K
- Decline: −25.9%
Optical character recognition, APIs, and workflow automation have eaten much of pure keystroking. Remaining tasks tend to be exception handling or quality checks. To move up the value chain, build skills in spreadsheet modeling, basic SQL, or RPA (robotic process automation) supervision. Those let you manage data pipelines instead of typing into forms all day—and they pay better.
6. Foundry mold and coremakers
- 2024 employment: 12.7K
- 2034 projected: 9.4K
- Decline: −25.9%
Automation, casting process improvements, and shifting production locations are cutting headcount in traditional foundry roles. Additive manufacturing and CNC have changed how prototypes and low-volume parts are made. If you like making things, retrain toward CNC machining, CAD/CAM, metrology, or maintenance—skills used across aerospace, automotive, and medical devices.
7. Patternmakers, metal and plastic
- 2024 employment: 1.6K
- 2034 projected: 1.2K
- Decline: −24.4%
Digital design and rapid prototyping reduced demand for manual patternmaking. CAD, 3D printing, and simulation let engineers iterate without physical patterns early on. Your craftsmanship still counts—channel it into model-based definition, GD&T, or precision machining. Short postsecondary certificates in CAD/CAM and additive manufacturing can help you transition quickly.
8. Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining
- 2024 employment: 6.4K
- 2034 projected: 5.0K
- Decline: −22.3%
Remote-controlled loaders, conveyor improvements, and mine design changes reduce manual machine operation underground. Related skills transfer to surface mining, construction equipment, and warehouse automation. Consider certifications in heavy equipment operation, mechatronics, or industrial safety to widen your future career options.
9. Telemarketers
- 2024 employment: 67.4K
- 2034 projected: 52.5K
- Decline: −22.1%
Auto-dialers, do-not-call rules, and consumer preference for digital channels have eroded classic cold-calling jobs. Sales is shifting toward inbound, account-based, and product-led motions that require research and writing as much as phone time. If you like persuasion, aim for SDR roles in B2B SaaS, lifecycle marketing, or customer success—fields that use CRM, email, and analytics rather than mass cold calls.
10. Grinding and polishing workers, hand
- 2024 employment: 11.8K
- 2034 projected: 9.3K
- Decline: −21.2%
Hand finishing is costly and inconsistent compared with automated finishing and precision machining. Employers value workers who can program or maintain finishing equipment over purely manual work. Cross-train in CNC, robotics tending, or quality control to stay competitive in advanced manufacturing.
11. Engine and other machine assemblers
- 2024 employment: 38.4K
- 2034 projected: 30.3K
- Decline: −21.1%
Assembly lines are becoming more automated, and product designs change (e.g., EV drivetrains) which can reduce certain assembly tasks. Skills in PLC basics, machine troubleshooting, and quality systems (ISO/TS) can move you into roles that maintain or improve automated lines rather than staff them.
12. Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- 2024 employment: 5.3K
- 2034 projected: 4.3K
- Decline: −19.6%
Dedicated machine roles are giving way to multi-axis CNC and flexible cells that do several operations at once. Employers want cross-functional machinists who can program, set up, and inspect. Training in CAM, blueprint reading, and metrology (CMM) helps you pivot to higher-skill machining or maintenance.
13. Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- 2024 employment: 8.8K
- 2034 projected: 7.2K
- Decline: −18.9%
Heat-intensive, repetitive operations are increasingly automated or redesigned. Safety standards and global competition push plants toward fewer, more skilled operators. Credentials in industrial maintenance, NDT (non-destructive testing), or process quality can future-proof your career in metals.
14. Model makers, metal and plastic
- 2024 employment: 3.2K
- 2034 projected: 2.6K
- Decline: −18.2%.
Prototype workflows have shifted to digital simulations and quick-turn additive, reducing the need for manual model making. Leverage your build instincts by adding CAD, surfacing, and additive manufacturing credentials; many of those skills also fit product design technician or test lab roles.
15. Cutters and trimmers, hand
- 2024 employment: 7.0K
- 2034 projected: 5.7K
- Decline: −18.1%
From textiles to packaging, automated cutters, laser systems, and vision-guided equipment are faster and safer than manual trimming. If you like production work, look at machine setup, quality inspection, or maintenance where employers pay for technical breadth.
16. Timing device assemblers and adjusters
- 2024 employment: 0.2K
- 2034 projected: 0.2K
- Decline: −17.5%
(Note the decline here looks off, but it’s not, it’s simply that we’ve rounded the employment and projection to one decimal place. Miniaturization and offshore production reduced U.S. demand for specialty timing device assembly. Precision assembly experience can translate to medical devices, optics, or electronics QA—fields that value cleanroom discipline and documentation. Short training in SMT (surface-mount technology) or micro-assembly can speed the switch.
17. Order clerks
- 2024 employment: 89.5K
- 2034 projected: 74.1K
- Decline: −17.2%
E-commerce platforms and EDI mean fewer humans key in orders. The remaining work skews toward exceptions, vendor coordination, and inventory integrity. Skills in ERP systems, spreadsheets, and basic SQL can move you into supply-chain coordination or inventory analysis—roles with better outlooks.
18. Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons
- 2024 employment: 1.1K
- 2034 projected: 0.9K
- Decline: −16.9%
Efficiency gains, alternative materials, and plant closures reduce demand for furnace lining specialists. Your industrial experience can carry into millwright, industrial mechanic, or safety technician roles—areas with steadier demand. Training in vibration analysis, thermal imaging, or OSHA compliance helps.
19. Payroll and timekeeping clerks
- 2024 employment: 161.1;
- 2034 projected: 134.2;
- Decline: −16.7%.
Cloud HRIS and self-service portals automate routine payroll entry and time capture. The remaining work is compliance, auditing, and exception management. If you like numbers and rules, target payroll analyst, HRIS admin, or accounting roles and build Excel, SQL, and labor-law knowledge. Certifications (e.g., FPC/CPP) can boost pay and mobility.
20. Structural metal fabricators and fitters
- 2024 employment: 53.8K
- 2034 projected: 45.0
- Decline: −16.3%.
Automation, modular construction, and global supply chains reduce manual fabrication in some shops. To stay in the game, layer on CNC plasma/laser programming, welding certifications, or quality inspection—skills that play across fabrication and manufacturing.
21. Print binding and finishing workers
- 2024 employment: 35.8K
- 2034 projected: 30.0K
- Decline: −16.1%
As print volumes continue to fall and finishing lines automate, there’s less demand for manual binding and finishing. Experience with digital presses, mail-house automation, or wide-format print can be more resilient than legacy print finishing alone. Consider cross-training in maintenance, workflow software, or variable-data printing to broaden your options.
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