The 12 most automated jobs in the US

Robot surgery

At least for now, surgeons can breathe a sigh of relief. It'll be 36 years until they're outperformed by robots in the operating room, according to AI researchers.

But while we have yet to see any completely automated jobs, there are plenty of jobs that are already on their way there.

To find the most automated jobs in America right now, we combed through the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), a US Department of Labor database that compiles detailed information on hundreds of jobs.

O*NET rates the "degree of automation" for each job on a scale from zero to 100, where a higher rating signals more automation. Jobs with scores around 50 are considered moderately automated, while jobs with scores around 75 are considered highly automated. (A score of 100 has yet to be attained, but it would indicate that a job is completely automated.)

Here are 12 jobs with the highest degrees of automation, as well as what they pay and how much the job will grow or decline by the year 2024 (where the average projected employment change is 6.5% growth), according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

These jobs earned a degree of automation rating of 65 or higher and are ranked in order from lowest to highest automation score.

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12. Reservation and transportation ticket agent or travel clerk

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks make and confirm reservations for transportation or lodging, or sell transportation tickets.

Degree of automation: 65

Median annual salary: $35,230

Projected decline by 2024: 1.4%

11. Air traffic controller

Air traffic controllers control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers according to established procedures and policies.

Degree of automation: 65

Median annual salary: $122,410

Projected decline by 2024: 8.6%