Skills data

Top 5 AI-proof skills (2026 edition)

The 5 skills most requested by the safest US jobs in the 2026 index, weighted by demand and listed with the professions that need them.

Rank	Skill	Weighted score	Professions	Demand level	Example professions
01	Customer Service	75	33	High	Data Entry Clerk Bank Teller
02	Excel	71	34	High	Data Entry Clerk Retail Cashier
03	Python	33	12	High	Computer Network Architect Computer Systems Analyst
04	SQL	32	12	High	Computer Systems Analyst Data Engineer
05	Experimentation	28	12	High	Graphic Designer Computer and Information Research Scientist

Data report

Embed this chart

Copy the iframe snippet to publish this chart on your own site (attribution appreciated).

<iframe src="https://jobriskindex.com/data/reports/top-5-ai-proof-skills/#chart" width="820" height="234" title="Top 5 AI-proof skills (2026 edition)" loading="lazy"></iframe>

Report

Methodology

Risk scores derive from O*NET, BLS and Anthropic's AI exposure research; salary bands from H-1B LCA records, public ATS postings and job boards; demand is observed signal from our own job-posting pipeline. Full methodology: Methodology

From the live index: 84 professions, last refreshed September 7, 2026. Scores derive from O*NET, BLS and Anthropic's AI exposure research.

Salary bands (p25/p75) for 80 occupations, updated Sep 14, 2026.

Demand is observed signal from our own job-posting pipeline (public job boards + ATS boards), 9 weeks sampled — not search interest.

Salary bands are published by source with n; they are not a census of the market.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

01Which skills make a job AI-proof?

The skills in this report are the most requested by the safest US jobs in the index (low exposure), weighted by how strongly they are demanded.

02How are skills weighted?

Each profession lists skills to acquire with a demand level (high, medium or low). We weight high = 3, medium = 2, low = 1 and multiply by the number of professions that list the skill.

03Where can I learn these skills?

Every skill links to its hub page with the professions that request it — start there and check each profession's page for courses and next steps.