Hollywood’s portrayal of artificial intelligence often featured menacing robots with ominous glowing eyes. However, the reality is quite different, as AI manifests itself in the form of spreadsheets, chatbots, and software that are gradually encroaching on office jobs.

Automation is also transforming manual labor, with robots increasingly taking on repetitive tasks within factory settings and warehouses.

With the rise in layoffs and a slowdown in job growth, career experts suggest that the most secure positions for 2026 are surprisingly not futuristic.

These roles are grounded in practicality, requiring human attributes like trust, decision-making, and physical presence. Moreover, many of these positions are more accessible than many Americans might think.

Overall job growth is projected to be just 3.1 percent from 2024 to 2034, a significant drop from the 13 percent growth witnessed in the previous decade. Nonetheless, certain sectors are expected to experience more robust growth.

The healthcare sector, for instance, is anticipated to grow by 8.4 percent, as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for nurses, doctors, and support staff. In contrast, the retail sector is expected to see a 1.2 percent reduction in jobs.

Hiring experts say the safest roles for 2026 share a few clear traits: they are hard to automate, don’t rely on routine desk work or repetitive manual tasks, and depend on skills machines still struggle to replicate (judgment, problem-solving and working with people in the real world). 

In many cases, entry routes are based on licenses, certifications, apprenticeships or on-the-job training rather than multi-year degrees.

Why human judgment still matters 

Jobs built around decision-making, trust and relationships remain far more resistant to automation than routine office or repetitive manual work. 

Keith Spencer, career expert at FlexJobs, told the Daily Mail that roles involving direct interaction with people are holding up best. 

‘These same fields also account for a significant portion of the fastest-growing remote roles, particularly in areas like mental health support, technical services, business operations, social assistance and account management,’ he said.

Account management is one of the clearest examples. It is a sales role that focuses on maintaining client relationships and solving problems rather than cold selling. Many account managers earn over $100,000 a year, and the job often does not require a college degree.

Spencer explains that AI is not threatening the role because of the human touch.

‘These roles depend on direct human interaction, judgment and real-time problem-solving,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Madeline Andrews, who leads Insights at Findem, said the five most common roles for Americans entering the workforce without a degree are project manager, account manager, real estate agent, account executive and operations manager. 

Project managers – people who plan and oversee projects from start to finish by setting timelines, coordinating teams and managing budgets – earn an average of $100,000 a year. While a Bachelor’s degree is preferred, it is not always required. Plus, there are around one million project manager positions in the US. 

Similarly, real estate agents only need a high school diploma and a state license to practice – and the position earns an average of $60,000, though it can go much higher.

Real estate agents only need a high school diploma and a state license to practice – and the position earns an average of $60,000, though it can go much higher (stock image)

Andrews highlighted the importance of human relationships in such jobs. 

‘These roles sit right at the intersection of AI and human judgment,’ she said. ‘AI can absolutely make people in these roles more productive, but it can’t replace the core of the work.

‘For externally facing roles like account managers, account executives and real estate agents, relationships are everything.’ 

Companies continue to hire for these positions because, Andrews explained, ‘revenue growth still depends on people who can connect, influence and represent the business in very human moments.’

Thomas Roulet, a professor at the University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School in the UK, said roles that involve analyzing complex problems, coordinating people and technology, and taking responsibility for outcomes are difficult to automate and are likely to persist even as AI advances.

Physical real-world jobs 

While robots are increasingly used for repetitive tasks in factories and warehouses, many physical jobs still require people on the ground. 

‘Skilled trades like electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers and industrial maintenance workers are still great choices,’ Jeff Ketelaars, a security industry expert, said. 

These workers install wiring systems, repair heating and cooling equipment, maintain water and gas lines, and service factory machinery – tasks that require hands-on troubleshooting and on-site expertise. 

Hiring experts say skilled trades like electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers and industrial maintenance workers are great choices (stock image)

Most people enter these fields through paid apprenticeships rather than college, allowing them to earn while they train. Average pay across these roles sits around $60,000 a year, with higher earnings possible over time. 

‘These jobs are hands-on, local and very hard to automate,’ he said. 

Security work offers a similar combination of plentiful openings and job security. Most security roles require only a high school diploma and short licensing or training programs. Average pay is around $40,000 a year, and there are more than one million positions across the US.

Ketelaars said technology has changed how the job is done, but not the need for people. Tools like cameras and analytics can assist, but they cannot replace human judgment, accountability or legal responsibility.

‘Security jobs often require making quick decisions, handling conflicts, interacting with the public and being accountable,’ Ketelaars said. These are all areas where automation still falls short.

‘Overall, the safest jobs without a college degree are those that involve real-world work,’ he added. ‘Where trust, presence and responsibility are important.’ 

Healthcare, energy and long-term demand

Healthcare continues to stand out as one of the fastest-growing sectors. As the population ages, demand for care is rising. 

Many healthcare support roles are more accessible than people assume. Jobs such as patient care coordinators, who manage appointments, records and communication between patients and providers, typically require short certifications or employer-provided training rather than medical degrees. 

Healthcare continues to stand out as one of the fastest-growing sectors. As the population ages, demand for care is rising (stock image)

Lacey Kaelani, CEO of Metaintro, said these roles are growing because they require problem-solving in unpredictable environments and direct interaction with patients – tasks AI can assist with but not replace. 

‘We anticipate healthcare roles to grow in demand because of a coming “silver tsunami” of an aging population,’ Kaelani said. ‘In addition, these jobs aren’t being replaced by AI but instead requiring an upskilling.’

Energy and infrastructure jobs are also seeing rising demand as investment increases in power grids, renewables and electric vehicle charging networks, according to Joseph Hewitt of VIQU Energy. 

While some technical roles require specialized training, experts say they offer strong job security and are unlikely to be automated in the near future.

Hewitt said engineers designing solar power systems or planning electric-vehicle charging networks are increasingly in demand as the global energy transition accelerates.

Jobs most likely to last 

Experts agree that the combination of labor shortages, aging populations and energy transitions is creating long-term demand for certain sectors.

‘Commonalities among these occupations are that they require physical presence, problem-solving capability in unpredictable environments, and are in industries currently experiencing labor shortages,’ Kaelani said. 

Experts say engineers designing solar power systems or planning electric-vehicle charging networks are increasingly in demand as the global energy transition accelerates (stock image)

As 2026 approaches, one pattern stands out: The safest jobs aren’t the most glamorous or the most technical, they’re the ones rooted in real people, real places and real responsibility. 

Whether it’s managing clients, coordinating projects, fixing things or supporting patient care, these roles are hard to automate and easy to enter.

Machines or AI software may help with the work, but they still need humans to show up, make decisions and get things done.