6 NJ Jobs Threatened By AI (And 4 That Are Safe)

NEW JERSEY— New Jersey’s job market is entering a period of foundational change as automation and artificial intelligence changes the landscape, industry experts say. But not all jobs are susceptible to this shift.

Education and health services have emerged as the biggest engines of growth.

In the first quarter of 2025, that sector recorded the largest increase among all industries in the state, adding 9,644 jobs as gross gains of 33,970 outpaced losses of 24,326, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Over the 12‑month period ending in late 2025, private education and health services added roughly 28,400 jobs.

Month‑to‑month figures from late 2025 also showed the sector adding 2,800 jobs in a single month, second only to gains in leisure and hospitality, according to the New Jersey Department of Labor.

Transportation and warehousing saw a loss of 7,824 jobs in the same first quarter, the largest decline among industries tracked, while leisure and hospitality also recorded a net loss of 6,595 jobs, according to state labor data.

Over the broader year, construction shed about 10,200 jobs, trade, transportation, and utilities lost roughly 9,800 jobs, and other services and manufacturing also posted declines.

Monthly reports throughout 2025 highlighted similar pressure in sectors such as trade, transportation and utilities, construction and information.

“Some industries, like health care and education, continue to expand because of demographic trends and essential services, while others face structural pressures from technology, automation, and changing consumer demand,” said Yana van der Meulen Rodgers, professor and chair of the Department of Labor Studies and Employment Relations at Rutgers University.

A growing body of research shows that automation and AI are influencing jobs in multiple, sometimes contradictory, ways. While some roles involving routine or repetitive tasks are more exposed to automation, other research suggests technology can also augment jobs, increasing demand for skills such as digital literacy, critical thinking and interpersonal abilities.

“We are not just replacing tasks, we are transforming how work gets done,” Rodgers said.

National labor studies point to persistent demand for work that machines cannot easily replace. Roles requiring judgment, creativity, negotiation or complex problem‑solving are less likely to be fully automated, according to a major OECD analysis of labor automation risk.

At the same time, other research indicates that generative AI, tools that can produce text, code and other outputs, is likely to disrupt even higher‑paid, cognitively demanding jobs, potentially changing more than 30 percent of tasks that workers currently perform nationwide.

Still, the risk of displacement, especially in routine or clerical work, is real.

A national report by Goldman Sachs estimates that if AI were widely adopted, up to 6–7 percent of U.S. jobs could be displaced, with roles such as programming, accounting and administrative support among those most exposed.

Routine roles may increasingly require new skills, while hybrid jobs that blend human judgment with technology continue to expand, said Rodgers.

Workers who can navigate AI‑enhanced tools, communicate effectively and adapt to evolving expectations may find more opportunity than those whose skills remain narrowly tied to tasks machines can perform faster.

“People entering the workforce need to understand where technology is heading and where human skills still matter most,” Rodgers said.

Jobs with Higher Exposure to AI

• Data entry and administrative support
• Customer service representatives
• Financial and business operations roles
• Telemarketing and basic content editing
• Market research and some analytical support tasks
• Certain programming and technical roles involving routine coding

Jobs with Lower Exposure to AI

• Repair and maintenance technicians
• Professional drivers and transportation workers
• Personal care, elder care, childcare and social services jobs
• Food service and hospitality roles