Compared to other types of automation, AI will have a greater impact on high-income workers
Source: (un)Common Logic analysis of Felten et al. (2021), Frey & Osborne (2013), Bureau of Labor Statistics data | Image Credit: (un)Common Logic
The trend toward computerized automation has historically made lower-income jobs more vulnerable to displacement, but AI changes that dynamic. AI-related automation shows a loose positive correlation with income, suggesting that higher earners may now face greater risk.
Due to the distribution of industries and jobs across the country, AI-driven job displacement is likely to impact some areas more than others. In five states—South Dakota, Kansas, Delaware, Florida, and New York—more than one in ten workers are vulnerable to AI-related automation, facing both high levels of AI exposure and high probabilities of automation. These states have high concentrations of workers in the knowledge sector. Conversely, states like Indiana, Arkansas, and Nevada, where the workforce is more concentrated in agriculture, manufacturing, or service professions, face a lower risk of AI-driven automation. However, general automation could still impact up to half of the workforce in these areas.
Among major metropolitan areas with populations of one million or more, locations in Florida and New York account for four of the top five regions at greatest risk of AI job displacement. These include Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville, and Buffalo, which have higher concentrations of workers in sectors susceptible to AI automation. In contrast, the two major metros facing the lowest risk of AI-related job loss are both in California: Riverside and San Jose.
This analysis was conducted by , a data-driven digital marketing agency, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources. For a detailed breakdown of AI-related job displacement risks for 389 metropolitan statistical areas and all 50 states, refer to  on (un)Common Logic.