10 Jobs That Will Shrink the Fastest Over the Next Decade

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest estimates on the fastest-declining occupations project that many of them will decline by well over 20% by 2031. Here’s what that will mean: about 8.3 million fewer jobs within a decade.

At the same time, however, other occupations are seeing increased demand, as you’ll see in “The 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs for the Next 10 Years.”

Read on to check out the jobs that are expected to see the greatest decline by 2031, going from No. 10 to the No. 1 job facing the greatest change.

10. Electronic equipment installers and repairers (for motor vehicles)

Employment in 2021: 9,200 jobs

Projected employment in 2031: 7,100 jobs

Projected jobs decline for 2021-2031: 23.4%

Median annual wage as of 2021: $40,670

9. Switchboard operators (includes answering services)

Employment in 2021: 49,000 jobs

Projected employment in 2031: 37,200 jobs

Projected jobs decline for 2021-2031: 24.0%

Median annual wage as of 2021: $30,150

8. Telephone operators

Employment in 2021: 4,000 jobs

Projected employment in 2031: 3,000 jobs

Projected jobs decline for 2021-2031: 24.5%

Median annual wage as of 2021: $37,630

6. Watch and clock repairers (tie)

Employment in 2021: 2,200 jobs

Projected employment in 2031: 1,700 jobs

Projected jobs decline for 2021-2031: 24.7%

Median annual wage as of 2021: $44,250

6. Data entry keyers (tie)

Employment in 2021: 155,900 jobs

Projected employment in 2031: 117,400 jobs

Projected jobs decline for 2021-2031: 24.7%

Median annual wage as of 2021: $35,630

5. Print binding and finishing workers

Employment in 2021: 42,200 jobs

Projected employment in 2031: 31,800 jobs

Projected jobs decline for 2021-2031: 24.8%

Median annual wage as of 2021: $36,590

4. Nuclear power reactor operators

Employment in 2021: 4,800 jobs

Projected employment in 2031: 3,500 jobs

Projected jobs decline for 2021-2031: 26.8%

Median annual wage as of 2021: $104,260

3. Hand cutters and trimmers

Employment in 2021: 8,200 jobs

Projected employment in 2031: 5,900 jobs

Projected jobs decline for 2021-2031: 28.4%

Median annual wage as of 2021: $30,230

2. Parking enforcement workers

Employment in 2021: 8,600 jobs

Projected employment in 2031: 5,400 jobs

Projected jobs decline for 2021-2031: 37.1%

Median annual wage as of 2021: $46,590

1. Word processors and typists

Employment in 2021: 46,100 jobs

Projected employment in 2031: 28,500 jobs

Projected jobs decline for 2021-2031: 38.2%

Median annual wage as of 2021: $44,030