A new study by Exam Papers Plus reveals the highest-paying jobs of the future as searches spike 1,275% for ‘jobs ai can’t replace’.
The study looks at global industry-leading reports and curriculum changes in high demand areas to predict the highest-paying jobs in the next 5-10 years, revealing that the demand for Space Debris Removal Specialists will boom, and they could expect to earn between £86,000 and £134,000 per year.
According to Google searches, there’s been a 648% increase in people searching for ‘will ai take my job?’, a 1,275% increase in people searching for ‘jobs that ai can’t replace’, and an 817% increase in ‘ai impact on jobs’, just in the past year. Examining search increases and rising popularity within high demand emerging jobs, there’s been a 226% in searches for ‘AI prompter jobs’ and ‘AI Ethicist’ now has 16.6million views on Tiktok.
A recent study by the World Economic Forum reveals up to 83 million jobs could be lost due to automation by 2025. However, the study also found that 69 million new jobs could be created in the same period.
Faisal Nasim, founder of ExamPapersPlus.co.uk comments: ‘With AI advancing at such a fast pace, many people are of course scared of what the future job market has to hold. However, curriculum changes suggest that there will be a greater emphasis on more ‘human’ skills such as the development of communication, teamwork and leadership. In the past, schools were focused on teaching students to memorise facts and figures, but we’re now seeing the curriculum shift towards problem-solving and critical thinking’
These will be the 12 highest-paying jobs of the future – can you guess which roles already exist?
Spoiler alert: you might not believe it, but all of them already exist and demand is growing rapidly
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Space Debris Removal Specialist – £86,000 and £134,000 per year
According to Forbes, there are now 100 trillion bits of ‘space junk’ orbiting Earth, which could be causing invisible pollution to our planet. Scientists with backgrounds in both satellite technology and ocean plastic pollution have stressed the urgent need for global consensus on how best to govern Earth’s orbit. As this emerging field continues to develop, coupled with the concerning growth of space junk and its impact on the planet, the need for expertise in space debris will of course grow. Day to day, space debris removal specialists are responsible for developing and implementing technologies to remove space debris from orbit. This can be done using a variety of methods, such as using nets or lasers to capture debris, or using spacecraft to collide with and deorbit debris.
Faisal Nasim, founder of ExamPapersPlus.co.uk says: ‘To become a space debris removal specialist, you need to have a strong foundation in aerospace engineering, physics, or astronomy. You should also take courses on space debris and its removal, and gain experience working in a related field, such as aerospace engineering, satellite operations, or space mission control’.
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Space Mining Engineer – £70,000-£120,000 per year
According to a recent Forbes article, California-based asteroid startup ‘Astroforge’ is ready to launch the first-ever deep space mining mission, and early next year, a SpaceX rocket will be launching a drill to the surface of the Moon as part of its Artemis program. But why is there a sudden uptick of interest in space mining and how can people get into this industry? Space mining could provide a new source of minerals and other resources that are becoming increasingly scarce on Earth. As part of the role, space mining engineers work on technologies to extract and process resources from asteroids, comets, and moons. In the future, the demand for space mining engineers is expected to grow as technologies continue to develop.
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Space Architect – £66,675 – £111,292 per year
As a rapidly growing field with the potential to revolutionise the way we work in space, space architects design and build structures for exploration and habitation. They are involved in all aspects of space projects, from robotic rover design to lunar and Mars base design to launch facilities planning. Space architecture is an extension of Earth architecture, However, looking at average salaries, space architects earn £47k more than Earth architects, with average salaries in space being £88,983 and £41,489 for architects who have been registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) for five years or more. In order to be a successful space architect, you must have a deep understanding of the space environment and the techniques for designing and building structures that can withstand it.
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Space Tourism Agent – £50,000 and £100,000 per year
Space travel is one of the most exciting emerging trends in the tourism industry, and with 11 million views on Tiktok it’s now starting to gain ground in the mainstream. Companies like Virgin Galactic have successfully flown tourists to space for the first time this year, and SpaceX have launched their first all-international crew to space station. Whilst it still seems like a future concept, this is a significant development, as it opens up the possibility of space travel to a wider range of people. Space tourism specialists need to have a deep knowledge of space travel, including the different types of spacecraft, the launch process, and the space environment. They also need to be able to understand the needs of their clients and tailor the experience to their individual interests and budget. To break into this field, you’ll need a degree in aerospace engineering, space science, or tourism management will give you the foundation you need to understand the space tourism industry.
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AI Ethicist – £48,000 and £100,000 per year
Now capable of making decisions that have an impact on people’s lives, it’s growing increasingly important to ensure AI acts in accordance with human values, and exercises fairness, justice, and transparency. Responsible for developing and enforcing ethical guidelines, AI Ethicists work with engineers, scientists, and other stakeholders to ensure that AI is used in a responsible and ethical way. With over 16.6million views on Tiktok, it’s clear this area is of interest to the masses, and as technology develops, this role will only increase in demand. To become an AI ethicist, you will need a combination of technical and non-technical skills. On the technical side, you should have a strong understanding of AI systems, algorithms, and tools. On the non-technical side, you should have a good understanding of ethics, philosophy, and the social impact of AI.
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Extreme Weather Resilience Engineer – £60,000 and £90,000 per year
Climate change is causing the atmosphere to warm and the oceans to rise, which is leading to more extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. With such events becoming more frequent, the demand for extreme weather resilience engineers is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. Designing and implementing solutions to help communities and infrastructure withstand the impacts of extreme weather events, extreme weather resilience engineers work on a variety of projects which could include building flood walls, developing plans for responding to and recovering from extreme weather events and retrofitting buildings and other infrastructure to make them more resilient. To break into this field, you’ll typically have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or a related field, or also possess a master’s degree or PhD in a related area.
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Vertical Farming Specialist – £54,500 and £86,600 per year
New lighting technologies and hydroponic systems are making it easier and more efficient to grow crops vertically, revolutionising the way we grow and consume food. Not only can vertical farms produce food in urban areas by growing plants in layers at height, rather than on traditional horizontal fields, they promote sustainability through using less water, and contrary to traditional farms, they’re able to produce food all year round. Vertical farming specialists are responsible for the design, construction, and operation of vertical farms. To become a vertical farming specialist, you will need to have a strong understanding of plant science, engineering, and business. A bachelor’s degree in agriculture, horticulture, or a related field is required, but a master’s degree or PhD is preferred.
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Cybersecurity Psychologist – £62,500 – £77,500 per year
As a relatively new field, there are a growing number of registered psychologists already making the move to cybersecurity. According to a 2022 report by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), human error is a factor in 95% of cybersecurity breaches, suggesting that cybersecurity psychology has a vital role to play in helping organisations to improve their cybersecurity infrastructures. The role of this job is to help individuals and organisations understand and manage the psychological risks associated with cybersecurity, and also help people cope with the aftermath of a cybersecurity breach, which can include anxiety, stress, and even depression. They’ll also work to identify and mitigate the human factors that contribute to cybersecurity breaches, such as phishing attacks, social engineering, and password fatigue.
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Agricultural Roboticist – £45,585 – £54,395 a year
The global population is growing rapidly, and there is a need to increase agricultural productivity to meet the demand for food production levels. Agricultural roboticists are engineers who design, develop, and deploy robots to automate tasks in agriculture. This includes tasks such as planting, weeding, harvesting, and transporting crops. Agricultural roboticists also work on developing robots that can perform more complex tasks, such as monitoring crop health and pests. Agricultural robots can help to increase agricultural productivity by automating tasks that are currently done manually. Agricultural roboticists need to have a strong understanding of robotics, engineering, and agriculture.
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Digital Gerontologist – £48,000 and £77,500 per year
Digital gerontologists are professionals who help older adults use technology to stay healthy and connected. They work with older adults to teach them how to use computers, smartphones, and other devices, as well as how to use online resources and social media. Playing an important role in helping older adults to live healthy and independent lives, digital gerontologists also help older adults to troubleshoot technology problems to stay safe online. To become a digital gerontologist you’d need a bachelor’s degree in gerontology, social work, public health, or a related field as a good starting point. You may also want to consider a master’s degree or PhD in gerontology or a related field. In addition to theoretical knowledge, it’s important to have hands-on experience working with older adults and technology. You can gain this experience through internships, volunteer work, or personal projects.
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Quantum Computing Engineer – £38,000- £65,000 per year
Quantum computing engineers design and develop a new type of computer that is much faster than traditional computers called quantum computers. This technology could be used to break modern encryption algorithms, design new drugs, and simulate complex physical systems. This job requires a strong understanding of quantum physics and computer science, with candidates typically holding a Master’s degree or PhD in physics, computer science, or a related field. You should consider this area if you have strong programming skills and experience with high-performance computing, along with having problem-solving and analytical skills.
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AI Trainer – £22,000 – £37,902 per year
Playing a crucial role in the development and deployment of systems in a wide range of industries, an AI trainer is a person who teaches AI systems how to perform certain tasks. This involves collecting and preparing data, designing and implementing training algorithms, and evaluating the performance of the trained AI system. Exam Papers Plus examined search trends within new and emerging job fields and found a global uptick of 226% in searches for ‘AI prompter jobs’, highlighting an increased interest in this niche. To become an AI trainer, you will need to have a strong understanding of machine learning and artificial intelligence. You should also have experience with programming languages such as Python and R, as well as data science tools. Additionally, it is helpful to have experience with cloud computing platforms such as Azure.