Here we are. It’s 2026, AI is here, and big corporations are laying people off by the 10,000. 

Whether you yourself are looking for a career that might not get taken over by robots in the next 5 years or you’re trying to help your children choose a job, it’s scary out there.

Job security feels like a thing of the past, doesn’t it?

Well, not quite.

Sure, every profession out there has been impacted by AI already. Nothing’s the same anymore.

But it’s simply true that not all jobs are equally endangered by AI.

Today, we’re going to cover some of the most AI-proof jobs on the market right now.

In this issue:

✅ Robots haven’t taken over everything yet
✅ Why skilled trades are the new job security (and what they pay)
✅ 6 AI-proof careers making solid money right now

Bon appétit! 🧑‍🍳

In partnership with BigTrends

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AI is currently changing, shaping, and replacing some jobs as you read this.

And it won’t stop at just ChatGPT making it easier to draft a difficult email to your boss, either.

Claude Code, the AI model tuned for coding (who would’ve thought?) by Anthropic, is already doing software engineering as well or better than professionals.

Imagine when they figure out physical AI in the form of robotics…

Oh wait. Right, they still haven’t figured out robotics.

Aha! This is the driving force behind our choices below.

The main thing with a lot of these jobs is that AI and robots can’t replace them. Or at least, won’t be able to replace them for a while yet. 

Here’s the first one:

The classic example that people always reference for AI-proof employment. But they have a point: not only are plumbers fairly safe from robots for now… they make solid money, too.

The average salary of a plumber in the US is $63,000 right now, according to ZipRecruiter. 

And the top 12% make over $81,000.

Adjacent to the plumbing avenue, HVAC techs are also winners here. If you’re down to learn how to clean coils, replace filters, and wire electrical components, HVAC school might be for you.

HVAC techs make almost $59,000 a year on average in the US (ZipRecruiter), but top performers can reach the $80,000 range.

Who will fix the robots? Well, eventually, other robots, but for now we still need mechanics. We don’t think the need for car and machinery repairs is going anywhere, at least for the next 5 years. Just a guess, but (hopefully) a decent one.

ZipRecruiter says mechanics in the US make an average of ~$52,000 a year, with $76,000-$81,000 as the upper range. 

Not bad, not bad at all.

Yes, there are still carpenters, and yes, they make good money. Robots aren’t able to make cupboards, decks, doors, or furniture yet, at least not on a global scale. 

As of 2024, the average salary for a carpenter in the US was about $59,000 (US News). The top 25% of carpenters made $75,000+.

Here’s a spot where you could actually capitalize on the AI/robotics boom. If a bunch of new devices, data centers, and power sources are built in the coming years, there might be an even greater need for electricians than there is now. That’s the best-case scenario, of course, but it at least seems like electricians will be in demand moving forward.

Electricians make an average of just over $61,000 a year, according to ZipRecruiter. Top earners can make as much as $98,000.

Don’t try this one unless you enjoy driving, long (long) amounts of time alone, and traveling all over. If that’s you, this career might be a great fit. And you’ll make solid money.

The average US truck driver makes around $56,000 (ZipRecruiter). High earners: over $100,000!

But don’t get us started on driving for UPS… they made headlines for offering an average $172,000 salary. Read more here.

Of course, there are other options out there besides the ones listed above, but hopefully this edition provided you with some ideas of jobs that might be AI-proof or at least resistant.

Cheers to getting 1% better each week! 🥂

We’d love to hear about it—and your story could help someone else do the same.
Just hit reply and share.

Thanks for reading,
—Your friends @ Future Funders 🍽️

P.S. Forward this to a friend who’s job might be in the line of fire for AI automation. 😬