7 Jobs Vanishing Fast—And The $100K Roles Replacing Them

Forbes

18-05-2025

By 2030, 70% of skills used in most jobs will change, according to LinkedIn.
According to LinkedIn's Work Change report, 70% of skills used in most jobs will change by 2030, with AI as the primary catalyst. This rapid evolution isn't just changing how we work. It's eliminating entire job categories while simultaneously creating lucrative new career opportunities.
If you're currently in a role facing obsolescence, don't panic. Instead, develop a plan to pivot. Below are seven rapidly declining jobs, the six-figure roles poised to replace them, and practical tips to help you transition successfully.
Once essential in every office, word processors and typists are projected to decline by 15.2% between 2023 and 2033, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). With advanced text recognition software, AI writing assistants, and voice-to-text technology becoming ubiquitous, the need for dedicated typing professionals continues to decline. At a median salary of $46,450, these jobs are increasingly vulnerable to automation.
Replacement Role: Data Scientist ($112,590)
The skills that make someone an excellent word processor, like attention to detail, pattern recognition, and information organization, translate remarkably well to data science. Data scientists analyze complex datasets to extract actionable insights, a role that AI enhances rather than replaces. With demand for data scientists growing across virtually every industry, this career pivot represents a significant salary upgrade.
How to Pivot:
• Start with Excel mastery, then progress to basic Python programming
• Complete the Google Data Analytics Certificate (approximately 6 months)
• Build a portfolio of data projects that demonstrate your analytical capabilities
• Consider a specialized data science bootcamp to accelerate your transition
With a projected 25% decline by 2033, data entry keyers face a challenging future. Automated data capture systems, optical character recognition, and AI-powered document processing have dramatically reduced the need for manual data entry. The current median salary of $32,660 reflects the diminishing demand for these skills.
Replacement Role: Information Security Analyst ($124,910)
Your familiarity with data systems and attention to detail create a natural bridge to cybersecurity. Information security analysts protect organizations' sensitive data and systems, a critical function that becomes more important as cyber threats evolve. With a severe shortage of cybersecurity professionals globally, this transition offers job security and substantial compensation.
How to Pivot:
• Leverage your existing data familiarity as a foundation
• Obtain the CompTIA Security+ certification to establish baseline credentials
• Progress to the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) certification
• Develop hands-on experience through cybersecurity projects and simulations
Bank tellers are projected to see a 14.7% decline by 2033 as mobile banking, automated teller machines, and digital payment systems continue to reduce the need for in-person banking services. With a median salary of $39,340, tellers perform increasingly automated transaction processing and customer service functions.
Replacement Role: Financial Manager ($161,700)
Your experience understanding financial transactions and interacting with customers provides valuable context for financial management jobs. Financial managers develop strategies and plans for the long-term financial goals of organizations. This role requires analytical thinking and financial expertise, which are skills that build on your banking foundation.
How to Pivot:
• Obtain a CFA Level I certification to demonstrate financial analysis capabilities
• Complete a financial modeling bootcamp to develop technical skills
• Pursue a relevant bachelor's or master's degree in finance or business administration
• Highlight your customer service experience and financial integrity in interviews
Telemarketers face a steep 21.5% projected decline by 2033. Automated calling systems, changing consumer preferences, and stricter regulations have dramatically reduced effectiveness and demand. With a median salary of $34,480, these jobs offer limited growth potential.
Replacement Role: Marketing Manager ($161,030)
Your experience with persuasive communication, handling objections, and driving conversions creates a foundation for marketing management. Marketing managers develop strategies across multiple channels to reach target audiences effectively. Your telemarketing background provides valuable insights into customer psychology and sales processes.
How to Pivot:
• Transform your communication skills into digital marketing expertise
• Complete HubSpot and Google Ads certifications to demonstrate technical proficiency
• Develop a portfolio showcasing your marketing campaign concepts and results
• Network with marketing professionals to understand current industry trends and opportunities
Payroll and timekeeping clerks are projected to decline by 15.1% by 2033 as automated payroll systems, time-tracking software, and integrated HR platforms reduce the need for manual processing. Despite the critical nature of accurate payroll, the median salary of $52,240 reflects the increasingly automated nature of the work.
Replacement Role: Compensation & Benefits Manager ($140,360)
Your detailed knowledge of payroll systems, compliance requirements, and employee data management creates an excellent foundation for compensation and benefits management. These professionals design and oversee an organization's entire compensation structure, a strategic role requiring technical knowledge and business acumen.
How to Pivot:
• Build on your accuracy and compliance experience
• Obtain SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional) certification
• Develop Workday or similar HRIS analytics skills
• Expand your knowledge of benefits administration and compensation strategy
Order clerks are facing a 17.9% decline by 2033 as e-commerce platforms, automated ordering systems, and digital inventory management reduce the need for manual order processing. With a median salary of $44,660, these jobs are increasingly vulnerable to digital transformation initiatives.
Replacement Role: Transportation, Storage & Distribution Manager ($102,010)
Your experience with inventory, order processing, and supply chain operations provides valuable context for logistics management. These professionals oversee the entire distribution process, ensuring products move efficiently from manufacturers to consumers.
How to Pivot:
• Leverage your inventory management skills as a foundation
• Obtain APICS CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) certification
• Develop Tableau or Power BI skills for logistics data visualization
• Gain experience with transportation management systems and warehouse operations
Customer service representatives face a 5% projected decline by 2033. While this is a more modest reduction than other jobs on this list, it is still concerning given the large number of people employed in this field. Chatbots, AI-powered support systems, and self-service portals are reducing the need for human intervention in customer support. The median salary of $39,680 reflects the entry-level nature of many of these positions.
Replacement Role: Software Developer ($133,080)
Your experience understanding user problems and communicating solutions creates a surprising but effective bridge to software development. Developers build the applications and systems that solve user problems, automating the support functions you've performed manually. This transition requires significant technical upskilling but leverages your customer-centric perspective.
How to Pivot:
• Build on your problem-solving and communication skills
• Complete a 16-week coding bootcamp focused on in-demand languages
• Develop a portfolio of projects demonstrating your technical capabilities
• Emphasize your user empathy and problem-solving experience in interviews
The skills that made you successful in your current role haven't disappeared. They've evolved into foundations for new, higher-paying jobs. As LinkedIn's Chief Economist Karin Kimbrough notes, "To successfully navigate the ongoing shifts at work, especially those brought on by AI, organizations, leaders and individuals must adopt a mindset that embraces change and prioritizes continuous learning." Your experience with detailed work, process management, and customer interaction provides a stronger foundation than you might realize. Adding technical skills and industry certifications allows you to transform a job that's disappearing into a six-figure opportunity. The key is starting your transition before your current role vanishes completely, giving you the time and financial stability to pivot successfully.