Gen Z seeks AI-proof healthcare jobs, but unhappiest workers revealed to be doctors, paramedics, and chiropractors

In an era where artificial intelligence is projected to significantly disrupt the job market, with tech leaders warning of AI matching entry-level capabilities and potentially halving white-collar employment by 2030, a notable trend is emerging among Generation Z. This demographic is increasingly directing its career aspirations towards the healthcare sector, seeking professions perceived as secure and resistant to automation. The appeal of healthcare roles is multifaceted, encompassing low unemployment rates, the potential for substantial financial remuneration—with earnings exceeding $200,000 being a possibility—and the widely held belief that human-centric roles like doctors and nurses are unlikely to be fully replaced by robotic counterparts in the foreseeable future.

However, this pursuit of job security may come at the cost of job satisfaction, a crucial element for long-term career contentment. A comprehensive 2025 study conducted by Deputy, a platform specializing in shift work, analyzed data from 1.28 million users. The findings were striking, identifying doctors, paramedics, and even chiropractors as some of the unhappiest workers. Specifically, the research indicated that doctor's offices and medical clinics recorded the highest levels of dissatisfaction, with a significant 37.84% of respondents reporting unhappiness in their roles. Chiropractors and personnel engaged in critical and emergency services also exhibited considerable dissatisfaction, with 12.93% and 12.05% respectively expressing unhappiness. When the scope of the study was expanded to include animal health roles, it was revealed that four out of the top five unhappiest jobs in the United Kingdom are situated within the broader healthcare domain.

The research underscores a critical paradox: despite the healthcare industry's strong reputation for offering meaningful and impactful work, many of these roles are disproportionately contributing to worker burnout and a sense of being "ground down." The report from Deputy highlights several key factors contributing to this decline in morale. Persistent staffing shortages create an unsustainable workload for existing employees. The inherent emotional strain of dealing with patient care, often in high-stakes environments, takes a significant toll. Unpredictable work rosters further exacerbate stress by disrupting work-life balance. Compounding these issues is the increasing demand placed on the healthcare system by an aging population, leading to longer hours and more intense responsibilities for healthcare professionals.

Interestingly, the Deputy study also brought to light a surprising counter-trend. Occupations that might have been historically overlooked or even disdained by recent graduates, such as those within the hospitality sector like fast food and waitressing, are emerging as potentially more satisfying career paths. The hospitality industry performed favorably in Deputy’s analysis, suggesting that roles in this sector may offer a greater degree of career contentment for some individuals. The study's ranking of the top ten unhappiest industry sectors, beyond the healthcare-related entries, includes Call Centres (12.00% dissatisfaction), Catering (8.60%), Delivery and Postal Services (6.97%), Care Facilities (6.22%), Cleaning Services (5.80%), and Private Services such as chefs and gardeners (5.62%). This data suggests a complex interplay between perceived job security, actual job satisfaction, and the evolving priorities of the younger workforce.