News & Trending Jobs & Career News

12 Jobs in America Nobody Wants to Work Anymore

Sure, there are employment opportunities across the country — but that doesn’t mean people are going to take them.

business people working together
Updated May 28, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

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.

Get paid up to $225 a month while watching viral videos

Instead of sitting around watching viral videos on YouTube, you could be getting paid actual cash taking surveys for InboxDollars instead.

It's simple. You sign up here and confirm your email. Then you watch videos and take surveys. Then you earn cash (yes, actual cash … not "points"). Log in during your spare time and see how you can earn up to an extra $225 every month.

BONUS: Free $5 when you sign up, confirm your email and phone.

Sign up and start getting paid today

Hospitality

WavebreakmediaMicro/Adobe waitress offering a cup of coffee

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.

Educators

WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe male teacher gesturing on an elementary boy at desk

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.

Nurses

pikselstock/Adobe friendly nurse supporting an elderly lady

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.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1

How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.

Try it

Retail

dusanpetkovic1/Adobe Female cashier

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.

Manufacturing

Blue Planet Studio/Adobe robot arms for digital factory production

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.

Warehouse workers

littlewolf1989/Adobe warehouse workers checking inventory

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.

Food workers

BlueSkyImages/Adobe restaurant worker serving two fast food meals with smile

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.

Truck drivers

ungvar/Adobe truck driver

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.

Tech employees

deagreez/Adobe programmers debugging java script code

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.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

Accountants

deagreez/Adobe accountant working with computer and calculator

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.

Trade workers

wip-studio/Adobe plumber at work

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.

Burial ground custodians

auremar/Adobe groundskeeper in cemetery

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.

Bottom line

zinkevych/Adobe serious young man analyzing financial statistics

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.


Author Details

Will Vitka

Will Vitka is a D.C. area reporter and writer. He previously worked for WTOP, The New York Post, Stuff Magazine, and CBS News.