By Jon Miltimore

For young people mapping out a career plan, knowing which jobs are projected to grow can offer a significant edge. But knowing which jobs are disappearing the fastest can be just as useful.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently published a list of the fastest declining jobs in America. Below are the eight occupations that top the list.*
Executive Secretaries (Median Annual Salary: $59,340)

2018: 622,500

2028 (projected): 499,400

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Of all the occupations facing sharp declines, executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants represent the single biggest in terms of aggregate jobs.

These individuals provide high-level support for senior staff by conducting research, preparing reports and correspondence, receiving visitors, and scheduling meetings. They may also be responsible for training lower-level staff.

Executive secretaries make nearly $60,000 a year, on average, but the government projects there will be about 120,000 fewer of them 10 years from now. While there are 622,500 today, BLS projects there will be fewer than half a million of them in 2028.

The decline is generally attributed to smart technology that has improved scheduling efficiency and record-keeping.
Typists/Word Processors ($39,750)

2018: 60,000

2028: 40,000

Data Entry Keyers ($32,170)

2018: 187,300

2028: 143,900

Legal Secretaries ($46,360)

2018: 180,100

2028: 142,500

Switchboard Operators ($29,420)

2018: 74,000

2028: 55,900

6. Postal service mail sorters ($55,770)

2018: 99,000

2028: 76,000

7. Mail Carriers ($55,210)

2018: 328,000

2028: 263,000

8. Postal Service Clerks ($55,280)

2018: 75,000

2028: 60,000

The last three jobs three have the same employer: the US Postal Service. US Postal Service jobs are expected to decline substantially over the next decade, which is not a surprise if you’ve been following the Post Office’s recent financial problems.

Between clerks, carriers, and mail sorters, the USPS is projected to shed more than 100,000 jobs over the next decade. Robotic sorters and help are also lessening the workforce.