AI Threatens 6 Million US Clerical Workers, 85% Women, Widening Gender Gap
AI is displacing approximately six million US clerical and administrative workers, 85% of whom are women, exacerbating gender inequality. These workers, often older with limited skills and savings, face job losses as companies automate tasks. This trend is widening the gender pay gap and reducing women's labor force participation, necessitating new skills and corporate support for adaptation.
Recruiter Jennifer Maffei observes a surge in administrative staff layoffs as companies invest in AI, impacting roles from medical transcriptionists to executive assistants. Approximately six million US workers, predominantly clerical and administrative, are highly exposed to AI displacement and ill-equipped to adapt, according to Brookings. Over 85% of these workers are women, often older, with narrower skill sets and limited savings, making their work easily automatable with few alternative options.
This trend disproportionately affects women, with job postings for administrative assistance roles, which women dominate, falling 5.4% below pre-Covid levels. The US gender pay gap has expanded, and male labor force participation increased significantly more than female participation in 2025. An International Labour Organisation study found roles at highest risk of AI automation accounted for 9.6% of female employment in higher-income countries, nearly triple men’s share. Women are also less likely to receive AI training, with a Harvard study showing 25% lower AI usage rates among women than men.
Companies like Maersk have cut 1,000 administrative roles globally, while tools like Anthropic’s Claude Cowork offer automated administrative support. Kelly Norton, a former executive assistant, now struggles to find work, with available salaries at half her previous six-figure income. She actively uses AI for job searches and created an online community for executive assistants to upskill.
Historically, women in clerical jobs were limited to administrative work and lacked career advancement support. Today, they still receive less training and earn low pay, with receptionists' median 2024 pay at $37,230. This lack of a safety net puts them at greater risk. While some clerical workers remain optimistic, emphasizing the need for human skills in complex tasks, Maffei advises clients to develop new skills and focus on roles requiring human interaction to navigate this changing landscape.