What jobs will not exist in 10 years?

Many employees have been severely impacted by the transition to a knowledge-based, technology-heavy service economy, which has even ravaged entire areas, such as the "Rust Belt" area, which extends from Pittsburgh and Cleveland to Detroit and beyond. A whole generation of talented employees, educated to create complicated devices like vehicles or capable of managing the machinery essential to generate the steel that underpins much of our society–they are all out of work, and the positions they once held will never be available again.

But that was the most recent economic downturn; what about the one after that? We have compiled a list of 10 occupations that are on the verge of extinction, as well as the pay that will accompany these positions, which will shock and amaze you. The question "what next?" does not have an obvious solution, which is unfortunate for a lot of people in the United States. However, if you are aware of the dangers that are associated with many of these careers, including some unexpected ones in the technology sector, you will be more prepared for the uncertain future that lies ahead.

1. Cashier at a Retail Store: $21,000

The development of computerized self-checkout possibilities over the course of the previous year makes the impending danger for register-jockeys very evident. But that isn't the only thing to be concerned about: the ever-expanding reach of internet-based commerce–with Amazon Fresh for grocery deliveries being only the latest threat–promises to decimate or more the demand for a job that used to offer steady employment to tens of thousands of people across the country, despite the fact that the job was rather mundane. Although it was never a lucrative alternative, working as a cashier was often a stepping stone for employees who lacked a college degree but not initiative. The majority of retail store managers rose through the ranks of the corporation, with many beginning their careers in the checkout line. As a result of the demise of these positions, an additional path to social mobility is being blocked off to those who do not possess college qualifications, not to mention young people who are searching for work over the summer and during the school breaks.

2. Telemarketer: $22,300

Another challenging profession is that of the telemarketing (although whether it truly offers a career is an open question, given high turnover in the occupation). Everyone who is not a telemarketer may heave a sigh of relief, shout a hallelujah, and pop the cork on a celebration beverage right now because the telemarketing industry is on the verge of extinction. Now for the bad news: your joy will be short-lived since the telemarketing sector as a whole is not going extinct; rather, the telemarketing profession in the United States is on its way out. No awards will be given to anybody who correctly identifies the replacements, which are a mix of robots and/or phony robots from other nations. In any case, it's probable that employment opportunities will dry up around here, but what about cons, spam, and debt collectors? The phone will continue to ring indefinitely.

3. Freight/Stock: $23,900

These unpleasant occupations, which included unloading trucks, unpacking goods, and replenishing milk refrigerators, provided an opportunity for many people who may have had difficulty obtaining other professions owing to language difficulties, educational restrictions, or even blatant prejudice. These people will need to find another way to make a living in the not-too-distant future, and the reason for this is simple: robots are on the way. Kiva Robotics, one of the most innovative companies in this sector, develops robots that can manage a warehouse with just a limited amount of assistance from humans. The move makes sense from the standpoint of the corporation since, in addition to the salaries, which are relatively low, the insurance expenses are significant due to the fact that warehouses and stockrooms are dangerous work places and accidents sustained on the job are very frequent. Robots, on the other hand, are unconcerned with bumps and bruises, heights and falls, or any of the other dangers that humans have to deal with on the job. In addition to this, their backs do not break, and even if they do, it is simple to replace them. Warehouse employees do not have a bright future ahead of them.

4. The delivery of newspapers: $24,100

Even while automated newspaper delivery is a possibility in the future, people in this industry are losing their jobs for an entirely other, albeit connected, reason: the internet. People of a certain age often argue that electronic screens do not have the same appeal as paper. However, people of a similar age almost certainly said the same thing about paper versus stone tablets a couple thousand years ago. Tablet carving has since been removed from the list of careers that are currently available. The production and distribution model of newspapers is being completely upended as a result of the proliferation of electronic reading devices such as smartphones and e-readers on the one hand, and improvements in electronic distribution (not to mention an expanded selection of options) on the other. While reporters, editors, and graphic designers will all transition to the new system, the electronic equivalent of newspaper delivery couriers is just the wired and wireless networks our devices connect to. This is one of the jobs that will be eliminated as a result of the shakeout. Newspaper delivery is a rite of passage for a great number of people in the United States. Unfortunately, would-be couriers will have to hunt elsewhere for entrance into the workforce – or for the second job – that a newspaper delivery route formerly afforded. This is because newspaper delivery routes have been eliminated.

5. Travel Agent: $31,800

Microsoft's much-maligned alternative to Google Search, Bing.com, has at least one feature that makes it superior to its rivals in a decisive way. This feature is an integrated travel website that is much more comprehensive than those of its rivals. Estimates of future price increases based on historical data is one important innovation that has been introduced. The software will advise you to hold off on making a purchase if it believes that the price will drop in the not-too-distant future; it will estimate the future price drop, and it will tell you how certain it is. On the other hand, the software will warn you of anticipated price increases and advise you to book low-cost flights while you still can. The latest version of Google Maps includes an estimate of the cost of airfare for long-distance travel instructions as well as a link to Google Flights since it is so effective at showing the airline alternatives that would provide the lowest cost for each trip. The tool that Google provides includes a helpful function that recommends making minor adjustments to your trip dates in order to save money, and it even allows you to arrange results according to the frequent flyer program that you belong to (Oneworld, SkyTeam, or Star Alliance). When you combine the two websites, you will know exactly which days to fly, when to make your purchase, and that you will never need the assistance of a travel agent again.

6. Employee of the Postal Service: $32,000

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is a government institution that has a long and famous history. In fact, it was one of the few government occupations that was directly incorporated into the Constitution. In the middle of the 19th century, it provided African-Americans who were limited in their employment possibilities elsewhere as a result of private discrimination with the opportunity for a secure profession that included respectable salary and benefits. Now? The curtain has very well come down, and the United States Postal Service is on its way out. Along with it goes the well-trodden road to the middle class that it previously promised. Although it has made significant accomplishments and can now compete successfully with FedEx and UPS on package delivery, the advent of email has rendered its raison d'être, which was letter delivery, obsolete. Despite these achievements, the company's raison d'être is no longer relevant. However, even if it were legal, converting to a strict parcel delivery service probably wouldn't save them: with the rise of drone-based delivery, from FedEx's plans for pilot-free cargo planes to Amazon's futuristic drones, there aren't many jobs left in the field. Changing to a strict parcel delivery service would likely not save them. Even if Amazon intends to employ the United States Postal Service (USPS) for Sunday delivery, job prospects for postal workers remain dismal.

7. Taxi Dispatcher: $43,000

The difficulty is that there are a lot of different applications that can act as taxi dispatchers. Although major cities have traditionally had taxi fleets, these fleets are gradually being replaced by swarms of private drivers who are affiliated (sometimes only loosely!) with ridesharing apps such as Uber and Lyft, which are filling in the gaps left by traditional taxi services. In addition, NextBus and Google Maps are doing a better job of connecting passengers with available transit options. In addition, many cities are increasing the amount of public transportation available, which is helping to reduce the need for taxis. However, taxi networks (and their dispatchers!) confront a variety of challenges, not the least of which are applications on smart devices. On the one hand, automobile sharing services such as Zipcar and eGo are making it simpler than ever before to have a car available for you when you need one, but not when you don't need one. These choices will continue to improve as time goes on as a result of the expansion of the networks and the proliferation of parking places. On the other hand, individuals now have access to a completely new choice inside the same framework as a result of the fast rise of bike sharing programs. But what about the most significant issue of all? Even while taxis are expected to be in use for the foreseeable future, it won't be long until taxi applications are able to direct automobiles to the locations where they are needed, and when that happens, even taxis won't need the services of a dispatcher.

8. Cost of a Word Processor and Typewriter: $45,000

Before "word processor" became an application for computers, it was a profession that people did. When one stops to think about it, the term "computer" used to refer to "a person who computes stuff" before computers were ever invented. Additionally, it was a job. Not very good at all. Typists are becoming more obsolete in the same manner that computers did before them. Who is to blame? Dictation quality is seeing a rapid uptick. Voice recognition software for mobile platforms is advancing at a quick rate because to the competition from large companies like Apple's Siri and Google Now as well as smaller companies like Dragon Dictate. The new operating system that Apple has released includes a dictation function of a very high caliber. How good in quality are they? I said the above statement out loud while I was writing it. Apple didn't skip a beat; they even added a hyphen to the word "high-quality." Typists are becoming obsolete as a result of the rise of tablet-based word input apps such as Swype, which are used for shorter messages, and voice recognition dictation services, which are always improving.

9. Librarian: $54,500

On the one hand, librarians are very useful, since they can direct you to the appropriate source, provide additional suggestions, and, in general, manage enormous collections with surprising precision. As someone who does a lot of research, I can say from personal experience that they are now far more effective than search engines for a broad range of activities. However, they are not inexpensive, and if the library were to shut, what would happen to the books? It is increasingly regular practice for educational institutions to provide online librarian services, and the natural conclusion to such endeavors is the typical combination of automation and outsourcing. These kinds of automated processes are only going to become better now that the legality of Google Books and other businesses like it has been established. Within the next 10 years, an expensive master's degree in library science may be added to the list of degrees that result in more debt than career opportunities.

10. Manager of Social Media: $59,000 per year

Are you taken aback to see such a novel profession on the list? When it comes to the new economy fueled by technology, you shouldn't be: easy come, easy go. The present generation is the first to grow up both offline and online, which means that social media will become more incorporated into the lives of employees. Because of the widespread use of social media, specialized social media managers will become less and less essential in the near future. Because almost everyone will possess the knowledge and abilities required, there will be a decreasing need for the services of professionals. Theirs was basically a job that will only survive for one generation: as long as the people in power are older and less sophisticated about technology, social media managers will be needed. But when employees go and new ones arrive, the music will cease and they will find themselves in the middle of the office shuffle without a deskchair.