10 Middle-Class Jobs That Are Disappearing the Fastest

As AI technology continues to improve and the impacts of COVID-19 linger, many jobs are becoming obsolete. 

Unfortunately, dozens of middle-class jobs are in that mix. Many of these are decent-paying jobs, most of which only require a high school or a bachelor’s degree. Here are the top 10 middle-class jobs that may not be around in the future.

Word Processors and Typists

By far, word processors and typists are the careers that are disappearing the most, with a whopping 38% decline. That’s almost more than three times greater than any other profession on this list. 

Now that AI can both record and transcribe meetings, the need for typists and word processors is declining. And we’re also no longer in an era where every boss has a secretary to type his letters. This is a job that only requires a high school degree, and the median salary is $46,450.

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

As the need for paper goods continues to decrease, so does the work for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders. This industry will see a 13% decrease, resulting in the loss of almost 12,000 jobs. 

These jobs pay about $47,250 a year and only require a high school diploma. This used to be a viable career path for those without higher education. However, now it will be hard to find an open position.

Adult Basic and Secondary Education and ESL

While education funding continues to be an issue across the country, one of the most significant sectors to suffer from this funding crisis is adult basic and secondary education, as well as English as a second language (ESL). There is projected to be a 13% decrease in the number of these jobs (5,300 fewer specifically).

That’s a shame because the median annual salary is $60,560, and you only need a bachelor’s degree to work as this kind of educator.

Computer Programmers

Just a few years ago, working as a computer programmer meant decent job security. Even during tech layoffs, it still seemed like a steady gig, whether you lived in the heart of Silicon Valley or in a rural area.

However, with the rise of AI, many computer programming jobs are going away. While there is still a need for many tech jobs, there is a 10% decline in computer programming gigs. This equals about 13,400 fewer jobs. 

That’s a massive shame for the middle class, as the average salary in this field is almost $100,000 annually. Plus, you only need a bachelor’s degree to get this job. And, in some cases, you can even land a job after completing a short programming bootcamp.

Gas Plant Operators

Working as a gas plant operator means that you’re responsible for monitoring several elements in gas processing or distributing plants. It’s a job that comes with an enormous responsibility and pays accordingly. 

It’s a shame that this profession is going away, because it’s one of the few on this list with a decent income (a median annual salary of $82,560) without requiring anything more than a high school degree.

However, you shouldn’t bank on this job being readily available in the future. This industry will see a 10% decline, losing 1,600 jobs.

Bill and Account Collectors

While nobody wants to hear from a bill collector, it used to be a decent job if you could get it. The median annual salary for a bill or account collector is $44,040, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and a high school diploma is the only required entry-level education.

However, you may have missed the boat when it comes to landing a job. There will be a 9% decrease, or about 18,600 fewer jobs. That’s a considerable decline, especially for workers without a college degree.

Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers

The only six-figure salary on this list that only requires a high school degree, working as a power plant operator, distributor, or dispatcher, is a relatively well-paying job. However, the opportunity to work in this field may be disappearing. 

Almost 4,000 jobs will be lost in this industry, which is about an 8% yearly loss. That’s a massive blow to the middle class, especially those who never received a college education.

Advertising Sales Agents

Just like it sounds, an advertising sales agent is someone responsible for selling print, digital, or radio advertising. This kind of job is one of several on this list that only ask for a high school degree. 

The median annual salary is $61,270, one of the highest on this list for a job that doesn’t require higher education. Unfortunately, this field will see a 7% decline or about 7,400 fewer jobs. As a whole, advertising is generally on the decline, which likely accounts for the decline in these jobs.

Office Clerks

As technology continues to advance, more menial jobs are often among the first to be replaced. Office clerks who may be responsible for filing, responding to emails, or doing other entry-level tasks are among the first to experience job loss. It’s no surprise — many software solutions can replicate what an office clerk does. That’s likely one reason why the profession is seeing a 6% yearly decline, to the tune of 147,500 jobs lost.

The median annual salary for an office clerk is $40,480, and you only need a high school diploma to get your foot in the door.

First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers

One of the most significant changes after the COVID-19 pandemic has been the decline in in-person shopping. Despite restrictions being lifted for years, people remain hesitant to return to brick-and-mortar stores.

That’s probably why retail sales supervisor jobs are declining, at a rate of -6% per year or roughly 91,000 jobs a year. This job is pretty easy to obtain, as it only requires a high school degree. The median annual salary is $46,730.

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• 11 Once‑Essential Job Skills That Are Now Obsolete — Fax machine proficiency and dictation shorthand are out; according to a 2025 World Economic Forum report, 22 % of workers’ skills will be outdated by 2030.
• 13 Recession‑Proof Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree, According to Experts — In a world where some industries are in decline, career coaches say skilled trades and healthcare support roles can remain safe bets without years of formal education