Since ChatGPT launched in late 2022, there has been a 22% drop in entry-level positions at firms that have adopted artificial intelligence, a 2025 study by Harvard found. Those same companies saw no significant change in senior positions.
If the bottom rungs get cut off the ladder, how do you start climbing in the first place?
Fortunately, not every career path is vulnerable to automation.
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Entry Level Careers Safe from AI
An October study by Resume Now analyzed job roles projected to grow faster than average between now and 2034. They filtered out jobs paying less than $50,000, and those requiring extensive experience or graduate degrees.
Finally, they looked at automation risk and filtered out careers that have a high potential to be replaced by AI.
“Roles that require real-time problem-solving, hands-on expertise, empathy, adaptability, communication, and critical thinking are far less likely to be automated,” explains Keith Spencer with Resume Now.
These jobs landed in the top 10 for fast-growing entry-level jobs paying $50,000 or more, with minimal automation risk.
- Dental Hygienists: $94,260 median salary (associate degree and license required)
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: $89,340 (associate degree or postsecondary certificate required)
- Respiratory Therapists: $80,450 (associate degree required)
- Radiologic and MRI Technologists: $78,980 (associate degree required)
- Occupational Therapy Assistants: $66,050 (associate degree required)
- Wind Turbine Technicians: $62,580 (postsecondary certificate required)
- Surgical Assistants and Technologists: $62,480 (associate degree or postsecondary certificate required)
- Electricians: $62,350 (high school diploma, technical school certificate required)
- Physical Therapist Assistants: $60,050 (associate degree and license required)
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics $59,810 (postsecondary certificate required)
Perspectives from the Trenches
Julian Scadden dropped out of high school and started his career as a plumber. Today, he runs the Nexstar Network, an organization of nearly 1,000 skilled trades companies in the electrical, plumbing and HVAC industries.
“One oft-overlooked benefit of the skilled trades is the ability for people to make a career switch even later into their working lives,” Scadden shared.
Recent graduates aren’t the only ones looking for jobs in today’s weakening labor market. Plenty of white-collar workers have found themselves laid off as AI becomes increasingly capable. These jobs offer relatively easy on-ramps as entry-level positions.
Of course, the list above includes more than just trades.
“Our internal data shows employees whose jobs combine hands-on skills with human interaction tend to receive faster promotions and tend to have a longer career lifespans,” notes Milos Eric of hospitality job platform OysterLink.
If you worry that your career could go the way of blacksmiths and chandlers, don’t wait for a pink slip. Start reskilling and repositioning yourself now, to make a smooth career transition on your own terms.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 AI-Proof Entry Level Careers Paying $50K+
