UK AI JobsExpected · in use · happened
UK AI Jobs/Administration/Executive assistant
Shrinks with AI

Executive assistant

69.2K UK workers · typical pay £44,000 · entry route GCSEs grades 4-9 (A*-C). Projected decline of -10% to 2035.

How AI is actually used here · measured · Anthropic Economic Index
36%
Augmentation
AI mostly does the task
13.3×
Time compression
~6.6h → ~30min
3/5
AI autonomy
how hands-off it runs
64%
Automation
of measured usage
How the collaboration splits · the six measured modes
directive 52.1%task iteration 31.2%feedback loop 11.2%learning 2.2%validation 2%unclassified 1.3%
What people make with AI here
document / report32%email / message11%data / spreadsheet9%

Real Claude.ai usage mapped to this occupation's SOC group, Apr+May 2026, CC-BY. Claude users only; task times model-estimated; augment/automate is how AI is used, not a count of jobs lost. Method →

Facts · ONS + NCS
UK workers (2024)
69.2K
Median pay
£44.0K
Our scored call · a labelled hypothesis, not a measurement
AI exposure
7 / 10
Elasticity
2.5 / 10
2035 outlook
-10%
Exposure · 7/10
Why AI can do the work

The role is predominantly digital and involves tasks like scheduling, drafting communications, and researching information, all of which are highly susceptible to AI automation. While the high-level relationship management and complex judgement required for senior executives provide some protection, the productivity gains from AI tools will likely reduce the overall number of assistants needed.

Elasticity · 2.5/10
Gated by saturated
Whether demand expands when it gets cheaper

Demand is tied to the number of senior executives, and while cheaper support might slightly lower the seniority threshold for receiving an assistant, the volume of administrative coordination remains a function of organizational size rather than the cost of the task.

Trajectory to 2035

Headcount contracts -15%, an Anti-Jevons curve.

Adoption scenario
×1.00 · Consensus

Change the scenario in the nav to reshape this curve.

Headcount projection · 2024 → 2035
Baseline 69.2K workers (2024) · % change vs baseline
Peak 2026 +1%2035 -15%
-15%2024202620282030203220342035-17%+0%+7%-15%
Peak headcount
2026
+1% vs 2024
2035 endpoint
-15%
59.2K workers
Time to −10%
2033
First year ≤ −10%
Total wage pool
£3.0B
pay × jobs
Where this role lives

UK employment share by region, SOC-joined to 4215.

London
35.9K · 23.5%
South East
27.3K · 17.9%
East
20.7K · 13.5%
West Midlands
12.1K · 7.9%
North West
10.7K · 7%
South West
10.3K · 6.7%
East Midlands
9.9K · 6.5%
Yorkshire and The Humber
9.4K · 6.2%
Gender split

Majority-female role (100.0% women). Sits inside the 69%-female Anti-Jevons zone.

133.3K women · 100%0 men · 0%
slug: personal-assistant · dataset 2026.03 · CC-BY-4.0