Special Report
States Where AI and Robots Will Put the Most People Out of Work
Published:
Last Updated:
The U.S. job market is about to enter an era of unprecedented change that could impact tens of millions of workers. As robotics and artificial intelligence technologies continue to advance, companies will be able to leverage new, cost effective tools to create and deliver their products to the market, while reducing their need for workers.
Several media and tech companies, including BuzzFeed and Microsoft, have already stated their intentions to use artificial intelligence to generate content and improve their products. And while BuzzFeed claims that AI will not impact the size of its workforce, the announcement came a month after the company laid off 12% of its employees to cut costs.
The advantages AI can offer businesses is undeniable, and the implications are impossible to ignore. AI is capable of automating a wide range of tasks that, until now, have been performed by humans. But unlike human beings, AI does not need regular paychecks or breaks. And as AI capabilities continue to develop, virtually no industry will be left untouched. (Here is a look at the fastest growing industries in America.)
Using data compiled by NetVoucherCodes, a U.K.-based voucher code website, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states that could lose the most jobs to automation and AI. States are ranked on the share of all jobs that are at high risk of being replaced by AI or automation. Notably, NetVoucherCodes used an AI program to aid in its analysis.
The share of jobs that could be replaced by AI and automation differs by state and ranges from 15.3% to nearly 25%. Distinct from AI, automation – such as the software used in automatic checkout counters, or robotics used in manufacturing – poses risk to the largest number of jobs in the coming years. According to the NetVoucherCodes report, 19.4 million American jobs, or 16.4% of all jobs considered, are at high risk of replacement by automation, compared to 2.8 million, or 2.4% of all jobs, threatened by AI.
The states where the largest share of workers are at risk of being replaced by technology tend to have large manufacturing sectors, while those where smaller shares of the workforce are at risk of losing their jobs to technology tend to have high employment in the professional, scientific, and management sector. (Here is a look at the industry laying off the most Americans.)
Click here to see the states where AI will put the most people out of work.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
50. New York
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 15.3% (1,119,470 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.7% – 10th highest (200,060 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 12.5% – the lowest (919,410 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (13.1% of all jobs)
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49. Massachusetts
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 15.4% (444,870 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.8% – 6th highest (81,240 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 12.6% – 2nd lowest (363,630 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (15.9% of all jobs)
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48. Vermont
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 15.8% (37,830 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.6% – 12th highest (6,280 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 13.2% – 3rd lowest (31,550 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Retail trade (11.4% of all jobs)
47. Connecticut
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 16.5% (222,010 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.3% – 19th lowest (30,970 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 14.2% – 5th lowest (191,040 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (11.8% of all jobs)
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46. Maryland
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 16.5% (346,580 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.4% – 20th highest (51,080 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 14.1% – 4th lowest (295,500 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (16.5% of all jobs)
45. Washington
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 16.7% (443,700 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.4% – 22nd highest (64,540 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 14.3% – 6th lowest (379,160 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (14.5% of all jobs)
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44. California
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 16.9% (2,322,630 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.3% – 21st lowest (321,900 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 14.5% – 8th lowest (2,000,730 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (14.3% of all jobs)
43. Alaska
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 17.2% (42,040 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.8% – 7th highest (6,760 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 14.4% – 7th lowest (35,280 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Public administration (12.2% of all jobs)
42. Colorado
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 17.6% (387,900 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.9% – 5th highest (64,200 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 14.7% – 9th lowest (323,700 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (15.1% of all jobs)
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41. Hawaii
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 17.7% (82,110 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.2% – 13th lowest (10,290 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 15.4% – 14th lowest (71,820 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (13.7% of all jobs)
40. Louisiana
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 17.9% (273,870 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.2% – 12th lowest (33,500 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 15.7% – 16th lowest (240,370 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Retail trade (11.7% of all jobs)
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39. Minnesota
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 17.9% (411,350 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.3% – 16th lowest (52,280 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 15.6% – 15th lowest (359,070 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Manufacturing (13.3% of all jobs)
38. Rhode Island
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 18.0% (69,650 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.8% – 8th highest (10,660 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 15.2% – 13th lowest (58,990 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (11.4% of all jobs)
37. Virginia
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 18.0% (565,150 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.9% – 4th highest (92,200 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 15.1% – 11th lowest (472,950 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (17.0% of all jobs)
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36. Delaware
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 18.2% (67,530 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 3.1% – 3rd highest (11,540 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 15.0% – 10th lowest (55,990 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Retail trade (13.0% of all jobs)
35. Illinois
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 18.2% (876,020 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.3% – 17th lowest (109,560 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 15.9% – 17th lowest (766,460 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (12.8% of all jobs)
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34. Montana
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 18.3% (71,650 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 3.1% – 2nd highest (12,210 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 15.1% – 12th lowest (59,440 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Retail trade (11.4% of all jobs)
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33. New Mexico
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 18.4% (120,430 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.3% – 15th lowest (14,810 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 16.1% – 19th lowest (105,620 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (13.5% of all jobs)
32. North Dakota
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 18.5% (62,800 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.4% – 19th highest (8,300 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 16.0% – 18th lowest (54,500 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Retail trade (10.5% of all jobs)
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31. Wyoming
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 18.7% (41,610 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.5% – 18th highest (5,500 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 16.2% – 21st lowest (36,110 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Retail trade (11.8% of all jobs)
30. Pennsylvania
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 18.7% (884,570 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.6% – 14th highest (120,790 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 16.2% – 20th lowest (763,780 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Manufacturing (11.8% of all jobs)
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29. Oregon
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 18.9% (285,850 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.4% – 25th lowest (35,950 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 16.5% – 22nd lowest (249,900 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (12.4% of all jobs)
28. West Virginia
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 18.9% (104,940 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.1% – 9th lowest (11,720 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 16.8% – 25th lowest (93,220 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Retail trade (12.0% of all jobs)
27. Georgia
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 19.0% (699,460 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.2% – 14th lowest (81,910 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 16.8% – 24th lowest (617,550 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (13.6% of all jobs)
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26. Florida
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 19.2% (1,406,350 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.4% – 23rd lowest (172,110 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 16.9% – 25th highest (1,234,240 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (14.1% of all jobs)
25. Idaho
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 19.4% (125,000 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.1% – 11th lowest (13,780 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 17.2% – 22nd highest (111,220 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Retail trade (11.1% of all jobs)
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24. New Jersey
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 19.4% (630,680 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.6% – 11th highest (85,550 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 16.8% – 23rd lowest (545,130 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (14.2% of all jobs)
23. Nevada
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 19.4% (214,940 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 1.8% – 2nd lowest (19,470 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 17.7% – 18th highest (195,470 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Educational services, and health care and social assistance (18.0% of all jobs)
22. Maine
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 19.6% (97,030 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.6% – 13th highest (12,730 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 17.0% – 24th highest (84,300 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Retail trade (11.8% of all jobs)
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21. Missouri
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 19.6% (455,330 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.4% – 21st highest (56,590 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 17.2% – 23rd highest (398,740 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Retail trade (11.7% of all jobs)
20. Utah
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 19.7% (256,970 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.0% – 6th lowest (26,650 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 17.7% – 17th highest (230,320 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (12.8% of all jobs)
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19. Texas
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 19.8% (2,040,080 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.3% – 18th lowest (237,000 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 17.5% – 21st highest (1,803,080 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (12.5% of all jobs)
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18. North Carolina
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 19.9% (745,580 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.4% – 24th highest (90,270 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 17.5% – 20th highest (655,310 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (12.0% of all jobs)
17. Michigan
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 20.1% (694,520 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.1% – 7th lowest (71,930 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 18.0% – 15th highest (622,590 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Manufacturing (18.6% of all jobs)
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16. New Hampshire
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 20.1% (109,400 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.6% – 15th highest (13,910 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 17.5% – 19th highest (95,490 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Manufacturing (12.5% of all jobs)
15. Arizona
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 20.5% (506,120 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.1% – 8th lowest (51,850 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 18.4% – 13th highest (454,270 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative, and waste management services (12.5% of all jobs)
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14. South Carolina
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 20.5% (368,450 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 1.8% – 3rd lowest (32,150 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 18.8% – 8th highest (336,300 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Manufacturing (13.5% of all jobs)
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13. Oklahoma
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 20.6% (269,620 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.7% – 9th highest (35,820 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 17.8% – 16th highest (233,800 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Retail trade (12.3% of all jobs)
12. Mississippi
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 20.6% (195,620 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 1.8% – 4th lowest (17,100 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 18.8% – 7th highest (178,520 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Manufacturing (12.9% of all jobs)
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11. Kansas
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 20.8% (236,400 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.5% – 17th highest (28,580 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 18.2% – 14th highest (207,820 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Manufacturing (11.8% of all jobs)
10. Kentucky
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 20.9% (327,290 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.1% – 10th lowest (33,430 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 18.7% – 9th highest (293,860 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Manufacturing (14.4% of all jobs)
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9. Ohio
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 20.9% (929,640 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.4% – 25th highest (107,080 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 18.5% – 11th highest (822,560 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Manufacturing (14.9% of all jobs)
8. Alabama
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 20.9% (344,400 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.3% – 20th lowest (38,310 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 18.6% – 10th highest (306,090 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Manufacturing (13.8% of all jobs)
7. Wisconsin
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 21.0% (495,330 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.5% – 16th highest (59,690 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 18.5% – 12th highest (435,640 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Manufacturing (18.0% of all jobs)
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6. Arkansas
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 21.2% (216,260 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 1.7% – the lowest (17,340 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 19.5% – 4th highest (198,920 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Retail trade (13.3% of all jobs)
5. Indiana
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 21.6% (549,860 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.0% – 5th lowest (51,210 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 19.6% – 2nd highest (498,650 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Manufacturing (18.2% of all jobs)
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4. Iowa
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 21.7% (272,950 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.4% – 24th lowest (29,590 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 19.4% – 5th highest (243,360 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Manufacturing (15.0% of all jobs)
3. Tennessee
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 21.7% (547,560 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.4% – 23rd highest (61,120 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 19.3% – 6th highest (486,440 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Manufacturing (13.0% of all jobs)
2. Nebraska
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 21.9% (176,680 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 2.3% – 22nd lowest (18,890 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 19.6% – 3rd highest (157,790 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Manufacturing (10.6% of all jobs)
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1. South Dakota
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI or automation: 24.8% (89,350 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by AI alone: 4.3% – the highest (15,440 total)
> Jobs at high risk of replacement by automation alone: 20.5% – the highest (73,910 total)
> Largest industry in state by employment (excl. education & health care): Retail trade (12.2% of all jobs)
Methodology
To identify the states that could lose the most jobs to AI and automation, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data compiled by NetVoucherCodes, a U.K. based voucher code website. We also considered the largest industry in each state using 2021 employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. To highlight industrial diversity, we excluded the educational services, health care and social assistance industry because it ranks as the largest in each state.
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