12 Jobs in America Nobody Wants to Work Anymore

We continue to see the effects of "the Great Resignation." According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, more than 34 million Americans quit their jobs in 2023 and 3.7 million quit in September 2023 alone.

Those who quit their jobs did so for a variety of reasons, including low pay, an unclear path to advancement, or feeling disrespected. The stunning number of Americans quitting means many industries could face severe labor shortages. 

Here are a dozen jobs nobody wants anymore. If you’re willing to buck the trend, you could make extra cash by taking one of these positions.

The quit rate for the hospitality industry — which includes jobs in entertainment, hotels, and recreation — is about twice the national average at 4.3%.

It's a tough industry in large part due to the hours: Some of the most lucrative hours for these positions are when everyone else is off.

As of October 2023, people within this field can earn an average of $21.36 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Not bad if you're looking for a side gig to supplement your income.

Teaching is a tough job, and many educators are leaving the profession. Low pay and mental health struggles are among the reasons.

More than 40% of teachers say their mental health is negatively impacting their work, according to the annual Merrimack College Teacher Survey.

Even fewer, 20%, considered themselves “very satisfied” with the job.

The health care industry continues to face critical staffing shortages. According to the American Nurses Association, nearly 18% of nurses quit the profession within the first year.

In fact, over one million nurses will be needed by 2030. Key issues of concern include an aging population, an aging workforce, and nurse burnout.

Retail workers are a huge part of the American workforce, with more than four million jobs available, according to the BLS.

Seasonality and pay are big factors here, with workers earning just over $30,000 a year annually. That's roughly $14 an hour, and by no means an easy salary to support yourself or a family in this economy.

According to the National Association of Manufacturers, more than 620,000 jobs are currently open within the industry, and four million manufacturing jobs are expected to open by 2030.

Although it's clear these jobs are readily available, employment dropped significantly by 35,000 jobs between September and October 2023, according to the BLS.

Being a warehouse worker is a tough job — with warehouses often open 24 hours a day — and it doesn’t pay very well.

Companies are also expanding automation in an effort to meet customer demand, which could limit the need for human workers.

The pay for food workers isn’t great, at around $13.52 an hour, according to the BLS. The industry expects to see about one million more jobs added each year by 2032.

However, the turnover rate is high because people often move to different jobs or retire.

Pro tip: Even one of these relatively low-paying jobs can provide you with the money to crush your debts or save toward a long-term goal.

You can make a decent living as a truck driver, with the median annual wage around $50,000 a year. But some can even earn upwards of $100,000. However, stress leads to a high turnover rate, making it one of several high-paying jobs nobody wants anymore.

By 2030, it's projected that 162,000 drivers will be needed to fill vacant jobs.

Although roles within the information technology industry are expected to grow — roughly 377,500 new jobs per year, according to the BLS — the turnover rate might be high.

According to a PwC poll, more than 30% of tech employees said they are likely to change jobs within the next 12 months, compared to only 26% of all other employees.

You can make a decent living as an accountant, and the industry is expected to grow. According to the BLS, the annual median pay is $77,000, and there are a projected 126,500 job openings per year through 2032.

However, it doesn't mean professionals will stay. In fact, between 2021 and 2022, more than 300,000 accountants and auditors left their jobs.

Skilled trade workers — that includes plumbers, carpenters, electricians, and everything in between — are in short supply.

Vocational jobs are perceived as valued: 85% of young people appreciate them. However, just 16% of those young people are likely to pursue this kind of career.

It doesn’t pay very well, but gravedigging and cemetery groundskeeping will always be needed — even if nobody wants to do these jobs.

According to the job website Glassdoor, the average national salary is $39,000. But on the plus side, it’s primarily outdoor work.

We're still seeing some of the ripples of the Great Resignation, but that's good news for anyone looking for work.

These industries need people — provided those folks are willing to do the job. 

If you want to boost your bank account, consider pursuing one of these jobs as either a part-time or full-time career.