shrabani Shrabani 
(C): X
Last updated on September 22nd, 2025 at 08:01 am
Let’s take a look at 10 jobs that no longer exist in 2025 (for practical reasons). But before that, it is time to understand the basic reasons for the disappearance of certain professions. There are three that should be highlighted:
a. Technology automating the task
b. Regulations/social changes making the jobs unnecessary
c. Shift in demand
Some occupations do not stop existing in just hours. This change happens in a long period of time. But the pattern is familiar. Digitization and automation replace some tasks and changing demands of customers take care of the rest.
For a better understanding of the job market in 2025, do check out our other articles, such as a reliable list of companies offering the best employee benefits, list of most dangerous jobs in 2025 and a list of the rarest jobs and list of useless degree in 2025. Want to stay updated on all Workers related new Visit Labour rights news for real-time updates and analysis.
10 jobs that no longer exist in 2025
1. Manual telephone operator
You might have seen manual telephone operators in a number of films. These people used to physically plug cords to connect callers and manage long-distance patching, directory help and message taking. But things are much different today, leading to this job almost disappearing.
2. Telegraph operator
Telegraph operators are almost non-existent these days. People in this profession used to send and get back Morse-code message through telegraph lines. One of the reasons for this job becoming obsolete is legal and business messaging turning to emails and satellite links.
3. Iceman
Sounds fun, right? It is fun. People in this profession used to cut, store and transport blocks of natural ice for household and commercial refrigeration. But electric refrigerators soon started becoming quite common in different parts of the globe, leading to this job disappearing.
4. Door-to-door milkman
Once upon a time (not to sound dramatic!), door-to-door milkmen used to bring fresh milk to households. But the emergence of supermarket distribution, packaged milk and home refrigeration made things different. But this job has not disappeared entirely yet.
5. Human alarm clock
Heard of knocker-up? Those in this profession are required to tap on their clients’ glasses or use a long pole to get some people up so they can get to morning shifts on time. But cheap personal alarm clocks and smartphones came next, changing things drastically.
6. Gas lamp lighter
Lamplighters used to light and extinguish street gas lamps and perform basic maintenance. But electric street lighting and automated controls are here to stay. Today, lamplighters perform their jobs only for tourists or ceremonial reasons.
7. Resurrectionist
This is quite a historical role. Resurrectionists or body-snatchers used to exhume corpses for sale to medical schools. But this job is no longer in existence, mainly because of modern medical-ethics rules and regulated body-donation programs.
8. Human computer
Just as the name suggests, human computers are people hired to perform calculations. These people used to perform complex arithmetic and tabulations for science, engineering and finance before electronic computers came into existence.
9. Lift operators
People in this profession are responsible for manually controlling the speed of the lift. They also handled the doors and stops – often also acting as a doorman or concierge. In 2025, this job exists only in a handful of historic buildings or for ceremonial/concierge reasons.
10. Telegraph or telegram messenger
Telegraph or telegram messengers used to operate as couriers for telegrams. They transported urgent telegrams to homes and businesses. But this job is hardly in existence these days as phones and digital messaging take control.
10 jobs that no longer exist in 2025: Frequently asked questions
1. The jobs listed in this article have ‘disappeared’, right?
To take things literally, no, these jobs are not 100% out of sight. For most of these jobs, a tiny number of specialists, heritage performers and hobbyists may still do the job for tourism or nostalgic purposes.
2. Is it possible that modern roles are going to face the same fate?
It is possible. But if you are looking for a list of modern jobs that could disappear by 2030, check out this article. Jobs that tend to disappear are usually economically easy to automate or digitize and are extremely repetitive.
