Circus and Variety Performers
Machines can already do 18% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 47%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Circus and Variety Performers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 18% of this job's tasks.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2036, and 47% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Contact with people: it scores 78% for contact with people.
- Also called: Circus Performer, Acrobat, Aerialist, Juggler.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perform acrobatic, aerial, juggling or variety acts in live shows | 35% | 15% to 42% | |
| Train every day for strength, flexibility and skill | 20% | 10% to 40% | |
| Create and rehearse new acts with directors and choreographers | 15% | 32% to 62% | |
| Rig, check and maintain equipment safely | 10% | 22% to 62% | |
| Tour and adapt acts to each venue | 10% | 18% to 48% | |
| Engage audiences and perform characters | 10% | 20% to 40% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills circus and variety performers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance43% of tasks by 2035 · US median $97,150
- Actors39% of tasks by 2035
- Dancers33% of tasks by 2035
- Athletes and Sports Competitors33% of tasks by 2035 · US median $66,710
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Circus and Variety Performers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2036. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of circus and variety performers?
Machines can do 18% of the tasks of circus and variety performers today and 47% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 311-P957 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Circus and Variety Performers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/circus-and-variety-performers/