Beyond AI: 9 Best Automation-Proof Jobs in the UK
Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping the world of work, sparking concern about the future of many occupations. While repetitive and routine jobs face high risks of computerisation, manual and trade occupations have proven far more resilient. In this article, I’ll shine a light on the current landscape of job automation and give you the top 9 UK jobs that are safe from automation.
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Automation and the job landscape
Automation technology tends to displace predictable, rule-based tasks. According to the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), roles such as retail cashiers, waiters, and shelf-fillers are among those most at risk. One ONS analysis estimated that around 1.5 million jobs in England (7.4% of the total) face high automation risk, with the majority involving routine duties like data entry or basic customer service.
By contrast, professions requiring advanced skills, critical thinking, or interpersonal judgement, such as medical specialists and educators, remain far less automatable. This highlights a key trend: automation tends to impact tasks rather than entire jobs, with routine-heavy roles more vulnerable than those demanding cognitive or manual complexity.
Importantly, not all technology-driven job changes lead to net losses. Often, automation eliminates certain tasks but also creates new needs and roles. The Tony Blair Institute’s (2024) report on AI’s labour market impact concludes that most time savings from AI will come from software automating information-based tasks rather than physical robots performing manual work.
However, some form of physical robotic automation is inevitable. The most famous example from recent years would have to be Flippy – the burger patty flipping robotic arm developed for fast food restaurants.
Top 9 hands-on jobs safe from automation
Below, I compiled a list of the top nine manual and trade jobs that experts consistently cite as being relatively safe from automation in the coming decade.
1. Electrician
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power systems in homes, businesses, and infrastructure. This trade involves complex fault-finding, reading wiring diagrams, and working in varied environments, requiring human judgment, adaptability, and precise tool use.
Qualifications: Typically requires completion of an industry-recognised Level 3 apprenticeship (e.g. Installation Electrician) or vocational diploma, along with safety certifications (like the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations).
Salary: Ranges from about £26,000 for entry-level electricians to £50,000 for experienced ones, going over £60,000 for self-employed and business-owner electricians.
2. Plumber
Plumbers install, maintain, and repair water supply, drainage, and sanitation systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Their work includes fitting pipework, unblocking drains, fixing leaks, installing bathrooms, and responding to plumbing emergencies. These jobs are highly variable, often involving work in confined spaces, with irregular systems, and under time pressure.
Qualifications: Most plumbers begin with a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating (via college or work-based learning), or by completing an approved plumbing apprenticeship.
Salary: Newly qualified plumbers may expect to earn around £30,000 per year, with experienced plumbers earning around £45,000. Similar to electricians, self-employed plumbers may see this value go over £60,000.
3. Carpenter/joiner
Carpenters (joiners) construct and repair wooden structures and fittings – from framing houses and roofing timber to crafting cabinetry and furniture. The precision cutting, fitting, and on-site adjustments that carpenters perform require manual skill and creativity that robots lack.
Qualifications: Many enter through a Level 2 or 3 Carpentry & Joinery apprenticeship or college course, learning skills in bench joinery and site carpentry. A Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card is typically needed to work on building sites.
Salary: Roughly £24,000 at entry, increasing to about £47,000 for experienced carpenters. Company owners report salaries as high as £100,000.
4. Bricklayer
Bricklayers build and repair structures made of bricks or blocks, such as walls, chimneys, and entire buildings. Laying bricks might appear repetitive, but in practice, it requires constant adjustment for alignment, mixing mortar to the right consistency, and working in varying site conditions.
Qualifications: Typically achieved through a Level 2 Bricklaying apprenticeship or college diploma (with options to progress to Level 3 for advanced craft). Bricklayers learn on-site under experienced mentors to master the trade.
Salary: Starting around £25,000, with experienced bricklayers earning about £45,000 per year. Given the current construction boom and shortage of bricklayers, many can earn well above this on major projects or through overtime and bonuses.
5. Automotive mechanic
Mechanics service and repair cars, vans, and other vehicles, diagnosing mechanical and electrical issues and restoring vehicles to safe working order. Car repair is a hands-on puzzle; faults can be idiosyncratic and often require a human troubleshooter. While computer diagnostics aid the process, the physical work of repairs and nuanced decision-making keep mechanics in demand.
Qualifications: Usually a Level 3 Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician apprenticeship or equivalent motor mechanics course. Modern training covers traditional mechanics as well as hybrid/electric vehicle systems.
Salary: Around £22,000 for new mechanics, rising to roughly £42,000 for experienced technicians. Specialists at dealerships or in motorsport can earn higher, and many mechanics also increase their income through bonuses or performing MOT tests.
6. Roofer
Roofers construct and repair the roofs of buildings and houses, working with materials like tiles, slate, metal sheets, and membranes to make roofs weatherproof. Roofing combines heavy manual work with careful technique at dangerous heights – a combination that has kept it largely human-operated.
Qualifications: Typically via a Level 2 Roofing apprenticeship (covering specialisations like roof slating and tiling or roof sheeting and cladding). Roofing work requires health & safety training and comfort with heights; many roofers start as labourers and train on the job.
Salary: Around £21,000 for a new roofer, rising to roughly £40,000 for an experienced roofer. Given the high demand in construction, good roofers often earn more with overtime, and those running their own crews can achieve higher incomes.
7. Painter & decorator
Painters and decorators prepare surfaces and apply paint, wallpaper, varnish and other finishes to interior and exterior surfaces in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. The work requires precision, creativity, physical agility, and adaptability to varied environments.
Qualifications: Many start via a Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating or through a Painting and Decorating apprenticeship (NVQ Level 2 or 3). CSCS cards are typically required for site work.
Salary: As a painter, you’re typically looking at a salary of £19,000–£22,000 for entry-level roles to £28,000–£35,000+ for experienced painters and decorators.
8. Gardener & landscaper
Gardeners and landscape contractors cultivate plants, design green spaces, and maintain gardens, parks, and estates. Working with living plants and varied terrain means every day is different – mowing, pruning, planting, and landscaping tasks must adapt to seasons and site specifics. Automation (like robotic mowers) can help with simple tasks, but a human gardener’s eye for design and plant care remains essential.
Qualifications: Many start with a Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture or an apprenticeship in parks or landscape gardening. RHS certificates or other horticultural qualifications can bolster knowledge. Much learning is on the job, developing plant knowledge and equipment skills.
Salary: Approximately £19,500 for new gardeners, up to around £26,000 for those experienced in general gardening roles. Specialised landscapers can expect to earn £35k+
9. Hairdresser/Barber
Hairdressers cut, style, and treat clients’ hair, providing personalised grooming services. This job thrives on creativity and personal interaction – understanding a client’s desired look, offering advice, and executing precise cuts or colouring by hand. Robots are nowhere near replicating the dexterity or social element of a good hairdresser.
Qualifications: Typically achieved via a Level 2 Hairdressing or Barbering course or apprenticeship, where learners practice on real clients under supervision. Many hairdressers continue to Level 3 for advanced techniques.
Salary: Entry-level hairdressers might earn around £19,000, increasing to about £30,000 with experience. Top stylists in high-end salons or those who develop their own clientele can earn significantly more, often exceeding £60,000.
Why hands-on jobs are safer from automation
Certain characteristics make manual and trade jobs (like the ones I mentioned above) inherently difficult for AI and robots to fully automate. These roles involve capabilities that current technology struggles to replicate, such as:
Physical dexterity and coordination
Many hands-on jobs require fine motor skills, precise hand-eye coordination, and work in varied physical positions. For example, an electrician or plumber often contorts into tight spaces and uses tools with subtle movements that robots find challenging to emulate.
Complex problem-solving
Tradespeople and technicians routinely face unexpected situations – a mechanic diagnosing an unusual engine fault or a plumber improvising a fix for ageing pipes. Every job is a bit different, every customer’s setup is unique, and workers must think on the spot to troubleshoot issues
On-site decision-making
Manual roles often take place in dynamic settings (construction sites, homes, outdoors) that lack the controlled conditions robots need. A joiner or bricklayer, for instance, adjusts to weather conditions, irregular materials, or site-specific constraints.
Interpersonal and customer service skills
Many hands-on jobs involve direct interaction with clients or members of the public. Consider care workers, hairdressers, or domestic tradespeople – success in these roles depends on building trust, understanding client needs, and effective communication. Empathy, negotiation, and client reassurance are uniquely human qualities that machines cannot authentically reproduce.
Safety and risk management
Jobs like electricians, construction workers, or firefighters deal with hazards that require human judgment and responsibility. While robots can be designed for dangerous tasks (for example, firefighting robots exist to handle certain high-risk duties), in practice, humans are still needed to make complex judgment calls and take legal responsibility for safety.
The unpredictable nature of emergencies or on-site risks means human oversight remains crucial. Automation can assist (e.g., drones for inspection), but fully handing over high-risk work to machines is neither technologically nor ethically straightforward at present.
Because of these factors, hands-on trades and service roles have “automation insurance” built into their skill set. They rely on a combination of cognitive and manual abilities, often developed through years of apprenticeship and experience, which are not easily translated into code or robotic hardware.
UK job market outlook for manual careers
The future of hands-on work in the UK carries significant economic implications. The current skills shortage in these resilient sectors acts as a considerable brake on national productivity and economic growth, with estimates suggesting a potential loss of £98 billion in GDP by 2030 if the gap is not addressed. Consequently, strategic investment in vocational training to fill these roles is not merely a social policy but a critical economic one, with the potential to unlock substantial growth.
Furthermore, because many of these in-demand jobs—such as construction, retrofitting, and social care—are inherently place-based and required in every community, a national strategy to build this workforce can serve as a powerful tool for addressing regional economic disparities and stimulating growth in places beyond highly concentrated areas (such as London).
Societal shift of hands-on jobs
The confluence of high demand, strong job security, and competitive salaries for skilled trades has the potential to make a significant cultural shift in the UK. For decades, vocational education has been perceived as a less prestigious alternative to the academic pathway of A-levels and a university degree. However, as the economic rewards and stability of hands-on careers become more apparent, this perception is likely to evolve.
Public opinion surveys already indicate that a majority of people believe vocational qualifications are as useful, if not more so, than a university degree. The high levels of job satisfaction reported by tradespeople, often attributed to the tangible impact of their work and a better work-life balance, further enhance the appeal of these careers. In a labour market where the idea of a stable, long-term job is seen to be declining, the security offered by an in-demand, non-automatable skill may become increasingly attractive to younger generations.
Crucially, the resilience of hands-on jobs does not mean complacency is an option. Continuous training and upskilling will be important to ensure these roles adapt alongside technology. The UK government and industry bodies are responding with initiatives to attract young people into vocational training, such as expanded apprenticeships and awareness campaigns about trade careers.
There is also emphasis on integrating new technologies with skilled workers – for example, tradespeople using digital tools for diagnostics, or care workers supported by assistive robotics for lifting – to enhance productivity without replacing the worker. The broad future outlook is that manual roles will evolve rather than vanish.
Conclusion
Overall, the job market relevance of these careers is, if anything, increasing. For us, individuals, this means pursuing a hands-on trade can offer a stable and rewarding career with less threat of automation-related displacement.
For society, it highlights the importance of supporting vocational education and investing in human capital to fill these essential roles. As we look ahead about ten years, it’s clear that plumbers, electricians, carers, and other manual professionals will remain indispensable – not just safe from automation, but actively shaping the future economy in tandem with new technology.
Mariusz Wawrzyniak
Content Writer
Mariusz is a career expert at MyPerfectCV who writes practical, research-based guides that help professionals from all industries craft impactful CVs, write compelling cover letters, and advance their careers.
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