Based on According to the latest projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, certain occupations are expected to experience a significant decrease in employment from 2021 to 2031. Watch and clock repairers are among the jobs projected to see a decline of 24.7%, with their employment falling from 2,200 in 2021 to 1,700 in 2031. However, the occupation projected to see the largest percent decrease in employment is word processors and typists, with employment expected to drop 38.2%, from 46,100 in 2021 to 28,500 in 2031. Interestingly, eight of the 10 jobs projected to see the greatest decrease in employment make less than the median annual pay in the US. On the other hand, nuclear power reactor operators, which is the fourth fastest-declining job, actually had an average pay in the six figures and usually only requires a high school diploma or equivalent for entry. Below is a list of the 20 jobs that are projected to see the largest percentage declines in employment from 2021 to 2031, along with their pay from the Employment and Wage Statistics program.
Median annual pay data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program in May 2021, eight of the 10 jobs that are projected to see employment dwindle the most make less than the median annual pay in the US. That includes hand cutters and trimmers which make $30,230, or $15,530 less than the median annual pay of $45,760.
On the other hand, nuclear power reactor operators, which is the fourth fastest-declining job, actually had average pay in the six figures. This job also usually only requires a high school diploma or equivalent for entry.
Below are the 20 jobs that are projected to see the largest percentage declines in employment from 2021 to 2031, along with their pay from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
US employment in 2021: 6,900
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -1,300
Median annual pay: $38,580
US employment in 2021: 16,100
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -3,000
Median annual pay: $35,670
US employment in 2021: 157,800
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -30,400
Median annual pay: $47,710
US employment in 2021: 34,300
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -6,600
Median annual pay: $49,480
US employment in 2021: 508,000
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -102,600
Median annual pay: $62,060
US employment in 2021: 700
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -100
Median annual pay: $54,250
US employment in 2021: 3,900
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -800
Median annual pay: $36,360
US employment in 2021: 44,400
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -9,300
Median annual pay: $29,880
US employment in 2021: 1,900
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -400
Median annual pay: $59,770
US employment in 2021: 26,000
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -5,900
Median annual pay: $42,610
US employment in 2021: 9,200
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -2,200
Median annual pay: $40,670
US employment in 2021: 49,000
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -11,800
Median annual pay: $30,150
US employment in 2021: 4,000
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -1,000
Median annual pay: $37,630
US employment in 2021: 155,900
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -38,500
Median annual pay: $35,630
US employment in 2021: 2,200
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -500
Median annual pay: $44,250
US employment in 2021: 42,200
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -10,500
Median annual pay: $36,590
US employment in 2021: 4,800
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -1,300
Median annual pay: $104,260
US employment in 2021: 8,200
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -2,300
Median annual pay: $30,230
US employment in 2021: 8,600
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -3,200
Median annual pay: $46,590
US employment in 2021: 46,100
Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: -17,600
Median annual pay: $44,030