Advances in technology could soon make dozens of middle class jobs obsolete, according to a groundbreaking study.

Carl Frey, a director at Oxford University - who previously authored a study suggesting that 35% of jobs in the UK were in danger - has followed up his work by analysing which higher earning jobs are likely to disappear.

Examining office jobs that pay more than £40,000, Frey compiled a risk list that showed which jobs were most in danger of becoming automated, and those most likely to remain.

High paying middle class roles such as insurance workers and real estate agents are at risk of becoming obsolete due to growing advancements in technology, according to a study by Oxford University director Carl Frey

The revelations that dependable office jobs such as insurance workers and real estate agents have a more than 97% chance of becoming computerised could now spark fears among the middle class workforce.

'While low-skilled jobs are most exposed to automation over the forthcoming decades, a substantial number of middle-income jobs are equally at risk.' Frey told The Times.

Other jobs that feature high on the 'risk list' are credit analysts who have a 97% chance of losing their jobs to robots, postal service workers at 95% and lab technicians who have an 89% chance of seeing their role become automated.

The study suggests that there is a more than 97% chance that credit analysts, loan officers and postal service workers could become redundant, seeing their jobs handed to robots

More traditionally middle class jobs listed in the study were accountants and auditors with a 93% chance of computerisation and underground train or tram operators. The study suggested an 86% chance of redundancy thanks to improved technology.

The figures indicate an objective assessment of how technology could replace or supersede human interaction in order to fulfill a job or task, as opposed to stating that the jobs will become redundant in the near future.

At the other end of the spectrum, the study also suggested jobs at least risk of becoming automated.

Firefighters, dentists and doctors all have a less than 1% chance of becoming computerised, according the research.

However, the study also indicated the various roles considered relatively safe in the long term. These included health care roles such as dentist, psychiatrist and dietitians, as well as medium term safe roles such as judges or magistrates

Roles in the healthcare profession also feature heavily in the 'low risk' list. These also included: dietitians, nutritionists, psychiatrists, podiatrist and pharmacists.

Jobs that are safe in the medium term, according to the study, included detectives, judges and magistrates - perhaps indicating that while the jobs could become automated in theory, the complex technology required is yet to meet the demands.

While it has long been accepted that traditional menial roles would be phased out as more cost-effective computer systems became integrated in industries, these findings suggest the march of technology will make vulnerable seemingly secure jobs.

Although the study analyses roles in America, Frey suggested the research applies directly to the UK because of the comparable industries and development.

