Life Scientists

ModerateFrey/Osborne: 40.0%

Risk Score

⚠️

32/100

Moderate

US Employment

👥

374,670

Total workers

Median Wage

💰

$91K

$54K – $164K

Projected Growth

📈

+5.9%

2023-2033 (BLS)

GenAI Exposure

🤖

35/100

Moderate exposure

How we calculate these numbers →

💡 Life Scientists face a risk score of 32/100 — 12 points below the national average of 44. With only 35/100 GenAI exposure, most core tasks remain resistant to current AI capabilities. See our methodology →

💡 Workers in this field earn $91K ($44K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths →

🔍 AI Impact Analysis

With a risk score of 32/100, Life Scientists faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like ai-accelerated data analysis and pattern recognition are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 374,670 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in designing novel experiments and research methodologies and interpreting ambiguous results with domain expertise to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.

Will AI Replace Life Scientists?

Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths →

⚠️ Top Risk Factors

AI-accelerated data analysis and pattern recognition

Automated laboratory instrumentation and workflows

Machine learning models replacing manual hypothesis testing

🛡️ Tasks Safe from Automation

✓

Designing novel experiments and research methodologies

✓

Interpreting ambiguous results with domain expertise

✓

Fieldwork in unstructured natural environments

✓

Collaborative scientific discourse and peer review

📊 Task Automation Breakdown

Based on O*NET task analysis and GenAI exposure scoring. Shows the estimated proportion of this occupation's core tasks that are automatable by current AI, augmented by AI tools, or require essential human skills.