Will All Jobs Soon Be “Tech Jobs”?

There was a time not so long ago when having a “tech job” carried a certain status symbol. People holding such jobs have been perceived as having highly specialized knowledge of complex concepts and technologies, and an appropriately high level of compensation as a result.

Given the specialized and selective connotation associated with “tech jobs,” then, it may be surprising to readers to hear that some researchers are predicting that virtually all jobs will be tech jobs within the next ten years.

Tech a Major Driver Across Industries

Recently, Per Scholas, a nonprofit that provides free tech skills training, unveiled data from a national survey designed to understand the attitudes, needs and challenges of C-suite executives, hiring managers, and employees across industries as they prepare for the future of work. The Per Scholas study found that by 2033, every job will be a tech job. In fact, 98% of C-suite executives believe that tech skills will be crucial in every work sector within the next decade. 

Additional Findings

The Per Scholas research also found that: 

• 75% of employees know tech knowledge is a must-have for employment.
• 97% of C-suite executives are more likely to prefer a candidate who has upskilled, or acquired new competencies in their field.
• 57% of workers are currently upskilling either through their employers or on their own.
• 43% of upskilling workers polled said they were currently learning about tech in some form—like software, apps, AI, or coding and data science.

So, does this mean that in 10 years there won’t be any more jobs in industries like accounting, manufacturing, medicine, etc.? Absolutely not! What this data really reflects is the increasing use of advanced technology within traditional roles. Sure, there will be more job openings for programmers, generative AI prompt engineers and other high-tech jobs; but there will also be increasing reliance on automation and generative AI in traditional roles.

History Repeats

This shouldn’t be terribly surprising. In the 1960s, for example, using a computer at work was virtually unheard of for most workers. Today, though, everyone from administrative assistants and grocery store clerks to lawyers, doctors and CEOs use computers to support the bulk of their work.

The same is likely to be true for new technologies like generative AI. In this sense, virtually all jobs will be tech jobs in the relatively near future if they aren’t already. The key for employers is to ensure their workforces are sufficiently upskilled and prepared to use those technologies effectively.

Lin Grensing-Pophal is a Contributing Editor at HR Daily Advisor.

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