Changing shape

Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel

Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems.

AI Resistance Index 13 of 99

Among the careers AI is changing fastest: more resilient than 13% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is very high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it very high), and US jobs are projected to change by +2.7% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on creative vision and emotional intelligence.

AI can do many of the tasks, and hiring is expected to grow slower than average or to shrink. The job is likely to change, so build the human parts of it.

Median pay (2025): $69,990
Job growth to 2035: +2.7%
Openings a year: 116,000
People doing it (2025): 1.3 million
Usual route in: High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training

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Where people already use AI for this work

Advise others on products or services
Promote products, services, or programs
Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Maintain operational records
Negotiate contracts or agreements

What the work looks like

Consult with clients after sales or contract signings to resolve problems and provide ongoing support.
Answer customers' questions about services, prices, availability, or credit terms.
Develop sales presentations or proposals to explain service specifications.
Create forms or agreements to complete sales.
Contact prospective or existing customers to discuss how services can meet their needs.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects

Fewer of these jobs, as generative artificial intelligence (AI) is integrated into the sales process allowing sales representatives to focus on direct sales activity.
More of these jobs, as companies increasingly add new products and services, such as wireless, facial recognition, mobile surveillance services, and robotic security services, requiring additional sales workers to market and sell them to consumers.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

Real estate sales agentsChanging shape, Index 16, +1.7%
Teaching assistants, except postsecondaryChanging shape, Index 40, -0.3%
Community health workersGrows with AI, Index 80, +12.7%
TutorsChanging shape, Index 22, -0.2%

Also known as: National Sales Executive, Sales Representative (Sales Rep).

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.