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# The most automatable US jobs likely to see low growth through 2030
- URL: https://newsletters.qs.com/the-most-automatable-us-jobs-likely-to-see-low-growth-through-2030/
- Published: 2026-09-03T12:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-03T12:30:00.000Z
- Description: AI exposure does not necessarily mean fewer jobs. New QS analysis suggests the bigger divide is between work that AI can augment and work it can automate.
- Author: Louie Brand
- Tags: Charts

AI exposure does not necessarily mean fewer jobs. New QS analysis suggests the bigger divide is between work that AI can augment and work it can automate.

[Read the full report](https://www.qs.com/insights/the-augmented-workforce-economy-labour-market-intelligence-united-states?ref=newsletters.qs.com)

Generative AI is already reshaping the US labor market, but its impact will not be felt evenly across occupations.

QS analysis of **1,870 occupations and 50,000 skills** finds that more than 60% of roles are expected to see some level of growth through to 2030\. Those growing roles are more likely to be ones where AI complements human capability rather than replaces it.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/09/image-1.png)

## Automation risk rises as job growth falls

The pattern is particularly clear when occupations are grouped by their propensity for automation.

Roles with **very high automation potential are expected to experience very low growth by 2030**, while growth is concentrated among occupations with lower automation exposure.

By contrast, roles with high potential for **AI augmentation** continue to grow. Data scientists and AI engineers, for example, sit among the most augmentable occupations and are also among the fastest-growing. AI augmentation can make people more productive without removing the need for the person doing the job. Automation is more likely to affect routine and rule-based tasks, particularly where there is less need for interpretation, creativity or judgement.

## The fastest-growing roles also look different

The wider labor market data tells a similar story. Occupations classified as showing **strong growth** have a median wage of **$112,374**, an average AI augmentation score of **3.44 out of 5**, and an automation score of just **2.10**.

For roles in **strong decline**, median wages fall to **$49,311** and the average automation score rises to **3.31**.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/09/image.png)

## What does this mean for higher education?

Graduates now must be prepared for an AI-enabled labor market. This will require a combination of technical skills, but - more importantly - soft skills like critical thinking. Learn more about the biggest skills gaps in the [QS World Future Skills Index 2027](https://www.qs.com/insights/world-future-skills-index?ref=newsletters.qs.com).

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**Explore** [***The Emergence of the Augmented Workforce Economy Index 2027***](https://www.qs.com/insights/the-augmented-workforce-economy-labour-market-intelligence-united-states?ref=newsletters.qs.com) **for the full analysis of AI automation, augmentation and the future of jobs in the US.**

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