McKinsey report: AI could push 11 million US workers to change jobs by 2035

A McKinsey report released this week estimates that AI and automation could reduce U.S. labor demand by 21%, equivalent to 36 million jobs, over the next ten years. While economic growth could keep about 25 million of those workers in their current fields, roughly 11 million—7% of all U.S. employees—may need to switch occupations entirely by 2035.

The report says this would require about 770,000 workers to change occupational groups annually, more than triple the historical average. Office and administrative support, agriculture and forestry, and technology and analytics roles are expected to see the biggest impact. Even workers who keep their jobs may need significant retraining, with McKinsey estimating over 70% will need some form of professional reinvention.

The findings come as broader labor market data shows weakening confidence: job openings hit a five-month low, voluntary quit rates remain near six-year lows, and Glassdoor's employee confidence index hit a new low in September.