Jobs expected to shrink the most by 2026

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September 12, 2018
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Jobs expected to shrink the most by 2026

The United States’ unemployment rate is at its lowest in years. Computer system design, scientific consulting, and nursing care are expected to grow at above-average rates in the coming years, but not all industries are expanding—in fact, some industries are expected to downsize in the near future. Many factors contribute to this decline—not just technology, a usual culprit.

Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Stacker ranked the 100 jobs expected to shrink the most by 2026. The list is ranked in ascending order by each entry’s projected percentage decrease. Any ties were broken with the position employing more people ranked higher.

Does your job make our list? Will the evolution of driverless cars have the impact many people fear? Read on to find out which jobs are expected to shrink the most by 2026. Stacker begins the list at #100 with a job in the criminal justice system.

RELATED: Jobs expected to grow the most by 2026

#100. First-line supervisors of correctional officers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -7.8%
Total employment in 2016: 45,200 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 41,700 people
 

#99. Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -8.1%
Total employment in 2016: 17,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 16,300 people
 

#98. Tellers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -8.3%
Total employment in 2016: 502,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 460,900 people
 

#97. Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -8.3%
Total employment in 2016: 654,300 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 599,900 people
 

#96. Metal and plastic lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -8.4%
Total employment in 2016: 33,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 30,800 people
 

#95. Announcers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -8.5%
Total employment in 2016: 52,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 48,200 people
 

#94. Metal and plastic cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -8.7%
Total employment in 2016: 192,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 175,900 people
 

#93. Manufactured building and mobile home installers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -8.9%
Total employment in 2016: 4,300 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 4,000 people
 

#92. News analysts, reporters, and correspondents

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -8.9%
Total employment in 2016: 50,400 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 45,900 people
 

#91. Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -9%
Total employment in 2016: 94,600 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 86,100 people
 

#90. Chemical plant and system operators

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -9.2%
Total employment in 2016: 33,200 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 30,100 people
 

#89. Shoe machine operators and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -9.5%
Total employment in 2016: 3,600 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 3,300 people
 

#88. Synthetic and glass fibers extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -9.5%
Total employment in 2016: 20,200 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 18,300 people
 

#87. Motion picture projectionists

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -9.7%
Total employment in 2016: 5,800 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 5,200 people
 

#86. Reporters and correspondents

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -10%
Total employment in 2016: 44,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 40,200 people
 

#85. Metal and plastic machine tool cutting setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -10%
Total employment in 2016: 332,400 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 299,100 people
 

#84. Hand cutters and trimmers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -10.1%
Total employment in 2016: 14,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 13,200 people
 

#83. Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -10.1%
Total employment in 2016: 44,300 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 39,800 people
 

#82. Nuclear power reactor operators

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -10.2%
Total employment in 2016: 7,000 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 6,300 people
 

#81. Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -10.2%
Total employment in 2016: 49,200 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 44,200 people
 

#80. Metal and plastic grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -10.3%
Total employment in 2016: 76,200 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 68,300 people
 

#79. Forest, conservation, and logging workers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -10.4%
Total employment in 2016: 69,600 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 62,400 people
 

#78. File clerks

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -10.4%
Total employment in 2016: 135,000 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 121,000 people
 

#77. Printing press operators

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -10.4%
Total employment in 2016: 178,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 160,200 people
 

#76. Miscellaneous metal workers and plastic workers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -10.5%
Total employment in 2016: 96,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 86,600 people
 

#75. Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -10.7%
Total employment in 2016: 520,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 465,200 people
 

#74. Tailors, dressmakers, and sewers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -11%
Total employment in 2016: 57,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 51,400 people
 

#73. Shoe and leather workers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -11.2%
Total employment in 2016: 14,600 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 13,000 people
 

#72. Radio and television announcers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -11.6%
Total employment in 2016: 41,300 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 36,500 people
 

#71. Shoe and leather workers and repairers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -11.7%
Total employment in 2016: 11,000 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 9,700 people
 

#70. Travel agents

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -11.7%
Total employment in 2016: 81,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 72,200 people
 

#69. Printing workers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -11.9%
Total employment in 2016: 267,300 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 235,400 people
 

#68. Print binding and finishing workers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -12%
Total employment in 2016: 54,000 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 47,600 people
 

#67. Tire builders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -12.1%
Total employment in 2016: 22,300 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 19,600 people
 

#66. Postal service clerks

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -12.1%
Total employment in 2016: 79,000 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 69,500 people
 

#65. Postal service mail carriers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -12.1%
Total employment in 2016: 316,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 278,500 people
 

#64. Metal and plastic model makers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -12.2%
Total employment in 2016: 6,300 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 5,500 people
 

#63. Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -12.5%
Total employment in 2016: 36,600 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 32,000 people
 

#62. Logging workers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -12.5%
Total employment in 2016: 55,300 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 48,400 people
 

#61. Logging equipment operators

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -12.6%
Total employment in 2016: 39,100 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 34,200 people
 

#60. Team assemblers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -12.8%
Total employment in 2016: 1,130,900 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 985,900 people
 

#59. Metal and plastic rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -12.9%
Total employment in 2016: 29,000 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 25,300 people
 

#58. Miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -12.9%
Total employment in 2016: 1,383,800 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 1,205,800 people
 

#57. Postal service workers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -13%
Total employment in 2016: 502,400 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 437,100 people
 

#56. Metal furnace operators, tenders, pourers, and casters

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -13.1%
Total employment in 2016: 26,200 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 22,800 people
 

#55. Metal and plastic model makers and patternmakers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -13.3%
Total employment in 2016: 9,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 8,400 people
 

#54. Hand sewers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -13.7%
Total employment in 2016: 13,500 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 11,600 people
 

#53. Metal and plastic plating and coating machine setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -13.8%
Total employment in 2016: 35,300 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 30,400 people
 

#52. Desktop publishers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -14%
Total employment in 2016: 14,600 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 12,500 people
 

#51. All other assemblers and fabricators

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -14%
Total employment in 2016: 232,400 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 199,800 people
 

#50. Metal and plastic heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -14.2%
Total employment in 2016: 19,800 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 17,000 people
 

#49. Assemblers and fabricators

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -14.4%
Total employment in 2016: 1,819,300 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 1,557,400 people
 

#48. All other logging workers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -14.7%
Total employment in 2016: 4,500 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 3,900 people
 

#47. Metal and plastic molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -15%
Total employment in 2016: 145,400 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 123,600 people
 

#46. Metal and plastic extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -15.2%
Total employment in 2016: 72,300 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 61,300 people
 

#45. Structural metal fabricators and fitters

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -15.3%
Total employment in 2016: 77,000 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 65,200 people
 

#44. Metal and plastic forming machine setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -15.3%
Total employment in 2016: 120,500 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 102,100 people
 

#43. Metal and plastic patternmakers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -15.5%
Total employment in 2016: 3,400 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 2,900 people
 

#42. Office machine operators

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -15.6%
Total employment in 2016: 59,900 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 50,500 people
 

#41. Metal and plastic molders and molding machine setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -15.7%
Total employment in 2016: 157,900 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 133,100 people
 

#40. Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -15.8%
Total employment in 2016: 15,000 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 12,600 people
 

#39. Fabric and apparel patternmakers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -16.1%
Total employment in 2016: 5,500 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 4,600 people
 

#38. Fallers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -16.2%
Total employment in 2016: 7,500 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 6,300 people
 

#37. Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -16.5%
Total employment in 2016: 106,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 89,100 people
 

#36. Sewing machine operators

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -16.7%
Total employment in 2016: 153,900 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 128,200 people
 

#35. Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -16.8%
Total employment in 2016: 30,800 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 25,600 people
 

#34. Engine and other machine assemblers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -17.2%
Total employment in 2016: 38,000 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 31,500 people
 

#33. Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -17.4%
Total employment in 2016: 41,800 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 34,500 people
 

#32. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -17.4%
Total employment in 2016: 685,300 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 566,200 people
 

#31. Textile machine setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -17.5%
Total employment in 2016: 79,300 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 65,400 people
 

#30. Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -18.1%
Total employment in 2016: 11,300 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 9,200 people
 

#29. Photographic process workers and processing machine operators

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -18.1%
Total employment in 2016: 26,900 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 22,000 people
 

#28. Legal secretaries

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -19.1%
Total employment in 2016: 194,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 157,500 people
 

#27. Metal and plastic forging machine setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -19.2%
Total employment in 2016: 19,200 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 15,500 people
 

#26. Metal and plastic milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -19.3%
Total employment in 2016: 17,600 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 14,200 people
 

#25. Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -19.3%
Total employment in 2016: 22,200 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 17,900 people
 

#24. Communications equipment operators

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -19.4%
Total employment in 2016: 104,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 84,400 people
 

#23. Metal and plastic drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -19.5%
Total employment in 2016: 12,300 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 9,900 people
 

#22. Prepress technicians and workers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -19.9%
Total employment in 2016: 34,600 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 27,700 people
 

#21. Switchboard operators

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -19.9%
Total employment in 2016: 93,200 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 74,700 people
 

#20. Timing device assemblers and adjusters

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -20.1%
Total employment in 2016: 800 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 600 people
 

#19. Manual grinding and polishing workers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -20.5%
Total employment in 2016: 26,600 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 21,100 people
 

#18. Coil winders, tapers, and finishers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -20.7%
Total employment in 2016: 14,100 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 11,200 people
 

#17. Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -20.8%
Total employment in 2016: 218,900 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 173,300 people
 

#16. Postmasters and mail superintendents

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -20.9%
Total employment in 2016: 14,200 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 11,200 people
 

#15. Electrical, electronics, and electromechanical assemblers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -20.9%
Total employment in 2016: 278,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 220,400 people
 

#14. Data entry keyers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -21.2%
Total employment in 2016: 203,800 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 160,600 people
 

#13. Electromechanical equipment assemblers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -21.4%
Total employment in 2016: 45,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 35,900 people
 

#12. Mine shuttle car operators

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -21.9%
Total employment in 2016: 1,500 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 1,200 people
 

#11. Telephone operators

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -22.6%
Total employment in 2016: 9,100 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 7,000 people
 

#10. Computer operators

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -22.8%
Total employment in 2016: 51,500 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 39,700 people
 

#9. Pourers and casters of metal

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -23.4%
Total employment in 2016: 8,400 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 6,500 people
 

#8. Foundry mold and coremakers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -24%
Total employment in 2016: 12,500 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 9,500 people
 

#7. Data entry and information processing workers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -24.4%
Total employment in 2016: 278,700 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 210,700 people
 

#6. Electronic equipment installers and repairers of motor vehicles

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -25.6%
Total employment in 2016: 12,100 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 9,000 people
 

#5. Watch repairers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -29.7%
Total employment in 2016: 1,800 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 1,200 people
 

#4. Word processors and typists

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -33.1%
Total employment in 2016: 74,900 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 50,100 people
 

#3. Parking enforcement workers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -35.3%
Total employment in 2016: 9,400 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 6,100 people
 

#2. Respiratory therapy technicians

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -56.3%
Total employment in 2016: 10,800 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 4,700 people
 

#1. Locomotive firers

Projected total change in employment between 2016 and 2026: -78.6%
Total employment in 2016: 1,200 people
Total projected employment in 2026: 300 people
 

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