SOC 29-1071
Physician Assistants
Risk Score
โ ๏ธ36/100
Moderate
US Employment
๐ฅ155,540
Total workers
Median Wage
๐ฐ$133K
$95K โ $182K
Projected Growth
๐+20.4%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
๐ค76/100
High exposure
๐ก Physician Assistants face a risk score of 36/100 โ 8 points below the national average of 44. With 76/100 GenAI exposure, this occupation faces significant pressure from AI tools despite strong projected growth. See our methodology โ
๐ก Workers in this field earn $133K ($87K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths โ
๐ AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 36/100, Physician Assistants faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like ai clinical decision-support tools guiding treatment are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 155,540 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in empathetic patient communication and bedside manner and hands-on physical examination and procedures to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Physician Assistants?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths โ
โ ๏ธ Top Risk Factors
AI clinical decision-support tools guiding treatment
Administrative automation of medical billing and coding
Generative AI producing marketing and creative copy
๐ก๏ธ Tasks Safe from Automation
Empathetic patient communication and bedside manner
Hands-on physical examination and procedures
Emergency triage requiring rapid human judgment
Ethical decision-making in end-of-life situations
๐ 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.
๐ O*NET Task Profile
Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
๐ป Technology Skills
Medical software
Spreadsheet software
Office suite software
Electronic mail software
Word processing software
๐ Key Knowledge Areas
Medicine and Dentistry
Biology
English Language
Psychology
Therapy and Counseling
๐ vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
๐ Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | 13 | $226K | 76% |
| Dentists, General | 24 | $173K | 84% |
| Podiatrists | 28 | $153K | 76% |