State of Work: The Coming Impact of Automation on New York

Report - June 2018

State of Work: The Coming Impact of Automation on New York

Millions of jobs in New York State will feel the effects of automation in the coming decades. These jobs are not necessarily disappearing, but they are transforming, as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced robotics tackle more roles in the workplace. Policymakers should act now to help New Yorkers prepare for the changes that are coming to the world of work.

by Matt A.V. Chaban

Tags: automation new york state economic opportunity workforce opportunity innovation economy tech middle class jobs project

The Automatability of New York State's 20 Largest Jobs

Occupation	Automation Potential	Workers	Median Salary	Job Growth (2014-2024)
Retail Salespersons	46.8%	324,170	$22,300	10.3%
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive	53.6%	214,520	$39,660	10.0%
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	22.4%	211,280	$29,890	14.5%
Office Clerks, General	61.5%	197,740	$31,770	8.3%
Cashiers	48.6%	192,630	$20,180	2.2%
Home Health Aides	10.8%	190,490	$23,930	45.3%
Registered Nurses	28.9%	189,840	$81,400	17.1%
Personal Care Aides	23.6%	174,700	$24,460	31.1%
General and Operations Managers	22.8%	165,860	$124,970	17.1%
Customer Service Representatives	29.3%	160,050	$36,890	14.0%
Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food	86.7%	154,570	$20,490	28.5%
Waiters and Waitresses	76.9%	151,380	$23,370	12.4%
Teacher Assistants	19.9%	131,800	$26,910	8.1%
Accountants and Auditors	12.2%	124,740	$82,090	21.4%
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks	85.6%	123,720	$43,020	-1.7%
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers	22.1%	119,090	$63,450	13.7%
Security Guards	39.4%	114,180	$30,700	16.7%
Stock Clerks and Order Fillers	86.4%	111,940	$23,670	9.1%
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand	6.7%	110,190	$26,890	12.1%
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	25.2%	106,260	$42,770	15.0%

The 20 Largest Highly Automatable Occupations in New York State

Occupation	Automation Potential	Workers	Median Salary	Job Growth
Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food	86.7%	154,570	$20,490	28.5%
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks	85.6%	123,720	$43,020	-1.7%
Stock Clerks and Order Fillers	86.4%	111,940	$23,670	9.1%
Cooks, Restaurant	84.0%	65,330	$27,120	25.9%
Food Preparation Workers	91.4%	63,850	$23,030	15.9%
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	81.4%	60,850	$46,560	14.1%
Billing and Posting Clerks	87.6%	35,160	$40,500	19.5%
Dishwashers	85.6%	33,570	$20,930	5.5%
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers	86.2%	32,530	$20,550	24.0%
Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop	88.1%	30,790	$21,040	22.3%
Driver/Sales Workers	81.4%	23,400	$21,230	16.9%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance	89.8%	21,250	$47,240	18.3%
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity	85.4%	21,160	$58,510	16.7%
Word Processors and Typists	90.4%	17,410	$39,740	-13.7%
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria	90.0%	16,680	$31,910	16.0%
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers	89.1%	16,370	$20,700	6.4%
Cooks, Fast Food	88.5%	16,250	$20,600	1.0%
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators	91.7%	14,890	$37,820	13.1%
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders	100.0%	14,880	$28,220	13.4%
Data Entry Keyers	86.4%	13,570	$33,270	1.2%

The 20 Largest Least Automatable Occupations in New York State

Occupation	Automation Potential	Workers	Median Salary	Job Growth
Home Health Aides	11%	190,490	$23,930	45.3%
Teacher Assistants	20%	131,800	$26,910	8.1%
Accountants and Auditors	12%	124,740	$82,090	21.4%
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand	7%	110,190	$26,890	12.1%
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education	15%	81,290	$75,900	3.5%
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	18%	69,730	$28,390	15.9%
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	20%	67,230	$78,810	3.4%
Childcare Workers	19%	64,260	$27,400	10.9%
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	13%	60,130	$73,480	26.4%
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers	9%	58,580	$30,850	6.9%
Software Developers, Applications	8%	52,730	$108,680	29.3%
Financial Analysts	11%	50,790	$103,920	12.6%
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	16%	49,250	$47,420	18.1%
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	19%	49,190	$73,310	6.3%
Management Analysts	4%	48,600	$93,630	22.2%
Substitute Teachers	20%	47,680	$33,080	3.6%
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	8%	43,690	$32,550	7.3%
Personal Financial Advisors	12%	36,320	$134,980	25.2%
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers	20%	32,970	$100,370	6.6%
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary	17%	32,220	$108,830	25.3%

This report is a publication of the Middle Class Jobs Project, a research initiative made possible by the generous support of Fisher Brothers and Winston C. Fisher.

General operating support for the Center for an Urban Future is provided by The Clark Foundation, the Bernard F. and Alva B. Gimbel Foundation, and Altman Foundation.

"State of Work" was researched and written by Matt A.V. Chaban. Edited by Eli Dvorkin and Jonathan Bowles.

Center for an Urban Future (CUF) is an independent, nonprofit think tank that generates innovative policies to create jobs, reduce inequality and help lower income New Yorkers climb into the middle class. For 20 years, CUF has published accessible, data-driven reports on ways to grow and diversify the economy and expand opportunity that are anchored in rigorous research, not preconceived notions about outcome. Our work has been a powerful catalyst for policy change in New York City and serves as an invaluable resource for government officials, community groups, nonprofit practitioners and business leaders as they advocate for and implement policies to address some of New York’s biggest challenges and opportunities.