Sales assistant

337.1K UK workers · typical pay £23,000 · entry route GCSEs grades 4-9 (A*-C). Projected headcount change: -1% to 2035.

How AI is actually used here · measured · Anthropic Economic Index

Thin signal. Only 9% of the Claude usage mapped to this job is actual work. The rest is personal or study use of the same skills. Read the figures below as indicative, not precise.

59%

Augmentation

AI mostly assists

3.8×

Time compression

~1.6h → ~26min

2.52/5

AI autonomy

how hands-off it runs

41%

Automation

of measured usage

How the collaboration splits · the six measured modes

task iteration 30.2%learning 25.1%directive 24.1%feedback loop 15.8%unclassified 3.1%validation 1.7%

What people make with AI here

advice / recommendation56%explanation / answer24%plan / strategy2%

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)

337.1K

Median pay

£23.0K

Our scored call · a labelled hypothesis, not a measurement

AI exposure

3 / 10

Elasticity

3.5 / 10

2035 outlook

-1%

Exposure · 3/10

Why AI can do the work

While AI and automation are increasing the use of self-service checkouts and inventory management systems, the core role requires physical presence for stocking shelves, handling deliveries, and providing face-to-face customer service. The physical and interpersonal nature of the work in a brick-and-mortar environment provides a significant buffer against full AI replacement.

Elasticity · 3.5/10

Gated by saturated

Whether demand expands when it gets cheaper

Demand is primarily gated by physical footfall and the number of retail outlets, meaning cheaper labor doesn't significantly increase the total volume of retail transactions.

Trajectory to 2035