AI and robots can replace coders, but not nurses, labourers or teachers: Report finds jobs costliest to automate

A June 2026 report by Planera found that replacing workers in nursing, construction, and home care with AI and robots would cost employers several times more than paying human wages.

Nursing assistants are the most expensive to automate, costing $375,100 per year versus a median wage of $42,200.

Home health and personal care aides cost $282,200 annually to automate, nearly eight times their median salary of $35,800.

Construction labourers cost $285,300 per year to automate, compared to a median wage of $47,100.

Teaching assistants cost $194,300 annually to automate, more than five times their median wage of $36,700.