Economists warn 20% of US jobs at risk of automation, and not just white-collar roles. How workers can build resilience

“That being said, just because there is the potential for automation doesn’t mean these jobs are all going to be automated this year, next year or even within five years,” Nico Palesch, author of the report, told CBS News. “Progress is incremental and ongoing.”

Even so, some job sectors are also far more vulnerable to automation than others. What can workers do to prepare themselves?

Which jobs are most at risk?

The report analyzed more than 800 occupations, looking at job tasks and whether existing technology could perform them, according to CBS News. Although much focus on today’s rough job market has been placed on artificial intelligence’s (AI) potential to replace white-collar work, jobs involving physical labor are among the most exposed to automation. For example, the most vulnerable sector is transportation and logistics, where roughly 60% of roles could be at risk thanks to advances in technologies such as self-driving systems and warehouse robotics.

Other industries facing elevated risk include manufacturing, retail, wholesale, accommodation and food service. Some jobs in these industries involve routine, repetitive tasks that machines can perform.

Automation in food service and hospitality is already visible. Self-check-in kiosks at hotels and digital ordering systems at restaurants reduce the need for front-desk staff and cashiers. In warehouses, robots increasingly handle sorting and movement of goods.

But businesses often adopt technology gradually, using automation to supplement workers or slow hiring rather than replace entire teams at once.

“Restaurants are not firing all cashiers on day one and replacing them. But as it becomes more widespread, they stop hiring cashiers as much,” Palesch said.

How workers can build resilience

If you’re interested in preparing for a more robotic, AI workplace, understanding how automation intersects with your job is a good starting point. Roles that rely heavily on predictable tasks may carry more long-term risk, while jobs involving complex problem-solving, interpersonal skills or creative thinking could to be more resilient.