Americans are choosing AI-resistant – though not AI-proof – careers over automation-prone jobs

Americans are quietly reshaping their career aspirations in response to artificial intelligence, and the results reveal a fascinating pivot toward deeply human-centered work. New research into job search patterns shows people increasingly gravitating toward roles that require personal interaction, physical presence, and the kind of nuanced judgment that remains firmly in human territory.

The findings suggest workers are becoming remarkably strategic about AI’s employment impact, actively seeking careers that offer protection from automation while providing meaningful work. Rather than competing with machines, Americans appear to be doubling down on what makes them irreplaceably human.

The methodology behind the findings

MRPeasy, an Estonia-based business planning software provider, analyzed 12 months of U.S. Google search data through June 2024, examining queries like “how to become” and “how to be” combined with over 100 common job titles. This approach captures genuine career interest rather than passive browsing, revealing what Americans actively want to pursue professionally.

The research methodology provides a unique window into career aspirations because it measures active intent—people don’t search for “how to become” something unless they’re seriously considering that path.

The top 10 most searched careers

The results paint a clear picture of America’s evolving career priorities, with traditional human-centered roles dominating the rankings:

1. Notary (38,102 average monthly searches)
The most surprising winner, notaries serve as impartial public officials who verify signatures, witness document signings, and authenticate important transactions like real estate purchases. The role requires personal interaction, legal knowledge, and the kind of trust-based verification that AI cannot provide.

2. Firefighter (36,000+ monthly searches)
This classic profession has gained renewed relevance as climate change intensifies wildfire seasons across the United States. Firefighting demands split-second decision-making, physical courage, and emergency response skills that remain uniquely human.

3. Realtor (35,000+ monthly searches)
Real estate transactions involve complex negotiations, emotional intelligence, and local market knowledge that requires human insight. Despite digital tools transforming the industry, the personal relationship between agent and client remains central to major property decisions.

4. Lawyer (29,000 monthly searches)
Legal work continues attracting interest despite AI tools increasingly handling document review and basic legal research. Complex litigation, client counseling, and courtroom advocacy still require human judgment and persuasion skills.

5. Travel agent
Personal trip planning and complex itinerary management benefit from human creativity and problem-solving abilities, particularly for unique or challenging travel situations.

6. Pharmacist
Medication management requires personal consultation, health assessment, and the ability to identify dangerous drug interactions—responsibilities that demand human oversight.

7. Electrician
Skilled trades work involves hands-on problem-solving, safety assessments, and adaptation to unique situations that robots cannot easily replicate.

8. Paralegal
Legal support work combines document preparation with client interaction and case management requiring human judgment and communication skills.

9. Therapist
Mental health services represent perhaps the most fundamentally human profession, requiring empathy, emotional intelligence, and personal connection that AI cannot provide.

10. Ultrasound technician
Medical imaging combines technical skill with patient care and diagnostic interpretation that requires human expertise and bedside manner.

What these choices reveal about AI anxiety

The pattern across these top careers is unmistakable: Americans are gravitating toward roles that require physical presence, personal relationships, specialized licensing, or hands-on technical skills. Karl Henrich Lauri, chief marketing officer at MRPeasy, notes these jobs cluster around “quick financial gain, heroism, technical trades, creative fulfillment, societal contribution, or travel and adventure.”

The electrician ranking particularly stands out, with Bureau of Labor Statistics projections showing 11 percent growth through 2033—significantly faster than average employment growth. This aligns with broader trends showing Generation Z embracing skilled trades over traditional office work, seeking what some call the “toolbelt generation” approach that values hands-on technical skills over desk jobs.

These preferences reflect growing awareness that entry-level office roles face the highest automation risk, while jobs requiring physical dexterity, emotional intelligence, or complex problem-solving in unpredictable environments remain relatively protected.

Regional variations tell deeper stories

Geographic patterns in job searches reveal how local conditions shape career interests, providing insight into how Americans connect their immediate environment with long-term career planning.

Notary interest concentrates in the Northeast, with New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island leading searches. These states’ complex real estate markets and high transaction volumes create steady demand for document verification services.

Firefighter searches peak in Western states, particularly California, Nevada, and Washington. California shows the highest concentration with nearly 21 searches per 100,000 residents—directly correlating with the state’s severe wildfire challenges and growing need for emergency responders.

Air traffic controller searches uniquely spike in New Jersey, likely reflecting recent staffing shortages that have disrupted operations at Newark International Airport. Local employment challenges often drive career interest in affected regions.

These geographic patterns demonstrate how Americans connect local economic conditions with career opportunities, suggesting sophisticated awareness of regional job markets and growth prospects.

The careers Americans are avoiding

The research also reveals telling patterns in career disinterest. The least searched professions include professional athlete, video game designer, race car driver, illustrator, and artist—roles that either have extremely limited entry points or face direct competition from AI tools.

Video game design, once considered a hot career path, now faces significant AI disruption as machine learning tools increasingly handle asset creation, basic coding, and even game design elements. Similarly, illustration and artistic work face growing competition from AI image generation tools.

This avoidance pattern suggests Americans recognize which creative and technical fields face the highest automation risk, steering clear of careers where AI tools already demonstrate significant capabilities.

Implications for employers and workers

These search patterns offer valuable insights for both job seekers and hiring managers navigating an AI-transformed employment landscape.

For workers, the data suggests focusing on roles that combine human judgment with specialized knowledge, physical presence, or personal relationships. The most resilient careers require skills that remain difficult for AI to replicate: complex problem-solving in unpredictable environments, emotional intelligence, physical dexterity, and trust-based relationships.

For employers, understanding these preferences can improve recruitment strategies. Job postings that emphasize human-centered aspects—personal interaction, creative problem-solving, community impact—may attract stronger candidate pools as workers increasingly prioritize AI-resistant career paths.

The research also suggests that companies investing in roles that complement rather than compete with AI will find more engaged workforces, as employees feel greater job security in positions that leverage uniquely human capabilities.

Looking ahead

While search data provides valuable insights into career aspirations, it represents just one piece of the employment puzzle. The gap between what people want to do and what jobs are actually available remains significant, particularly for specialized roles like notary or firefighter that require specific training and certification.

However, the clear preference for human-centered work suggests Americans are developing sophisticated strategies for thriving alongside AI rather than competing against it. By focusing on roles that require personal connection, physical presence, and complex judgment, workers are positioning themselves for careers that remain fundamentally human—even as artificial intelligence reshapes the broader employment landscape.