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Will AI replace life, physical, and social science jobs?

60 jobs scored. On average 52% of the task time in these jobs still needs a person, and the family averages 72 out of 100 on Still needs a human, where higher is safer.

72
Average Still needs a human score, 0 to 100 ↑ safer. Will AI replace them? A little.
60
Jobs scored in this family
52%
Average share of that still needs a person
2.1M
US workers in these jobs

How the work could shift in Life, Physical, and Social Science

The share of US workers in these jobs whose job would sit in each band, from today to 2060.

Today
2%
of US workers in this family are in jobs that mostly need a person (our top band, Nah.)
0% are in jobs AI could largely do (Largely.)
By 2045
0%
of US workers in this family would still be in jobs that mostly need a person (our top band, Nah.)
70% would be in jobs AI could largely do (Largely.)
By 2060
0%
of US workers in this family would still be in jobs that mostly need a person (our top band, Nah.)
95% would be in jobs AI could largely do (Largely.)

Each job's score moves towards the bottom band (Largely: AI could largely do the job) by the year it could be largely automated, slowly at first and faster later, as adoption usually goes. Each job is run as ten scenarios across its replacement range, so every figure mixes early and late outcomes. The model stops at 2060. How the timeline works

Share of US workers in this family in each verdict band, today to 20600%25%50%75%100%2026: 2.0% of US workers in this family in jobs that mostly need a person (Nah.)2026: 98.0% of US workers in this family in jobs where AI could do a little of the work (A little.)98%Today2030: 0.2% of US workers in this family in jobs that mostly need a person (Nah.)2030: 76.6% of US workers in this family in jobs where AI could do a little of the work (A little.)77%2030: 23.2% of US workers in this family in jobs AI could partly do (Partly.)23%20302035: 0.2% of US workers in this family in jobs that mostly need a person (Nah.)2035: 19.2% of US workers in this family in jobs where AI could do a little of the work (A little.)19%2035: 38.8% of US workers in this family in jobs AI could partly do (Partly.)39%2035: 38.5% of US workers in this family in jobs AI could mostly do (Mostly.)39%2035: 3.2% of US workers in this family in jobs AI could largely do (Largely.)20352040: 0.2% of US workers in this family in jobs that mostly need a person (Nah.)2040: 5.0% of US workers in this family in jobs where AI could do a little of the work (A little.)2040: 19.4% of US workers in this family in jobs AI could partly do (Partly.)19%2040: 31.1% of US workers in this family in jobs AI could mostly do (Mostly.)31%2040: 44.4% of US workers in this family in jobs AI could largely do (Largely.)44%20402045: 0.2% of US workers in this family in jobs that mostly need a person (Nah.)2045: 5.0% of US workers in this family in jobs where AI could do a little of the work (A little.)2045: 1.1% of US workers in this family in jobs AI could partly do (Partly.)2045: 23.6% of US workers in this family in jobs AI could mostly do (Mostly.)24%2045: 70.2% of US workers in this family in jobs AI could largely do (Largely.)70%20452050: 0.2% of US workers in this family in jobs that mostly need a person (Nah.)2050: 5.0% of US workers in this family in jobs where AI could do a little of the work (A little.)2050: 12.2% of US workers in this family in jobs AI could mostly do (Mostly.)12%2050: 82.6% of US workers in this family in jobs AI could largely do (Largely.)83%20502055: 0.2% of US workers in this family in jobs that mostly need a person (Nah.)2055: 5.0% of US workers in this family in jobs where AI could do a little of the work (A little.)2055: 0.1% of US workers in this family in jobs AI could mostly do (Mostly.)2055: 94.8% of US workers in this family in jobs AI could largely do (Largely.)95%20552060: 0.2% of US workers in this family in jobs that mostly need a person (Nah.)2060: 5.0% of US workers in this family in jobs where AI could do a little of the work (A little.)2060: 94.8% of US workers in this family in jobs AI could largely do (Largely.)95%2060
Will AI replace the job?Largely.Mostly.Partly.A little.Nah.
Share of US workers in this family whose job would sit in each band, year by year. Updated with every release.
Show the data
YearLargelyMostlyPartlyA littleNah
Today (2026)0.0%0.0%0.0%98.0%2.0%
20300.0%0.0%23.2%76.6%0.2%
20353.2%38.5%38.8%19.2%0.2%
204044.4%31.1%19.4%5.0%0.2%
204570.2%23.6%1.1%5.0%0.2%
205082.6%12.2%0.0%5.0%0.2%
205594.8%0.1%0.0%5.0%0.2%
206094.8%0.0%0.0%5.0%0.2%

Every job in Life, Physical, and Social Science, ranked

How to read a row: the number is the Still needs a human score, out of 100, higher is safer; “AI replace?” is our answer to “Will AI replace this job?”; the bar is the task split: white AI does it, grey AI helps, amber needs a human.

EconomistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-3011
60↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 23%AI helps 56%Needs a human 21%
20392036–2046
18k
$124,720
Social Science Research AssistantsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-4061
61↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 30%AI helps 51%Needs a human 19%
20402037–2047
31k
$61,990
Bioinformatics ScientistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-1029.01
61↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 19%AI helps 72%Needs a human 9%
20392037–2047
56k
$98,920
Political ScientistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-3094
62↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 23%AI helps 57%Needs a human 20%
20392037–2047
6k
$142,080
Survey ResearchersLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-3022
63↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 24%AI helps 44%Needs a human 32%
20402037–2048
8k
$69,460
HistoriansLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-3093
65↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 78%Needs a human 22%
20402037–2049
3k
$76,750
Environmental EconomistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-3011.01
66↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 13%AI helps 71%Needs a human 16%
20412037–2049
18k
$124,720
Industrial-Organizational PsychologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-3032
66↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 17%AI helps 50%Needs a human 33%
20402037–2049
790
$193,950
GeographersLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-3092
66↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 8%AI helps 61%Needs a human 31%
20412037–2050
1k
$102,040
PhysicistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-2012
67↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 12%AI helps 49%Needs a human 39%
20402037–2049
20k
$172,250
Climate Change Policy AnalystsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-2041.01
67↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 66%Needs a human 34%
20412037–2049
89k
$82,220
AstronomersLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-2011
68↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 16%AI helps 36%Needs a human 48%
20402037–2049
2k
$128,820
SociologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-3041
68↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 25%AI helps 29%Needs a human 46%
20402037–2048
2k
$106,030
Remote Sensing Scientists and TechnologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-2099.01
68↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 6%AI helps 71%Needs a human 23%
20422037–2050
22k
$122,570
Atmospheric and Space ScientistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-2021
68↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 10%AI helps 62%Needs a human 28%
20412037–2050
10k
$99,070
Transportation PlannersLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-3099.01
68↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 5%AI helps 64%Needs a human 31%
20412037–2049
37k
$101,110
Precision Agriculture TechniciansLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-4012.01
68↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 73%Needs a human 27%
20432038–2053
15k
$49,630
GeneticistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-1029.03
69↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 17%AI helps 37%Needs a human 46%
20412037–2051
56k
$98,920
Clinical and Counseling PsychologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-3033
69↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 68%Needs a human 32%
20412037–2050
76k
$100,580
Remote Sensing TechniciansLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-4099.03
69↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 10%AI helps 57%Needs a human 33%
20422038–2053
74k
$62,280
Industrial EcologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-2041.03
70↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 2%AI helps 77%Needs a human 21%
20422037–2051
89k
$82,220
Urban and Regional PlannersLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-3051
70↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 2%AI helps 48%Needs a human 50%
20412037–2050
44k
$89,320
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-2041
70↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 6%AI helps 52%Needs a human 42%
20422038–2053
89k
$82,220
Animal ScientistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-1011
71↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 54%Needs a human 46%
20422037–2051
3k
$68,940
School PsychologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-3034
71↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 8%AI helps 45%Needs a human 47%
20422037–2050
64k
$95,990
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and GeographersLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-2042
71↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 6%AI helps 53%Needs a human 41%
20432038–2056
23k
$101,920
EpidemiologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-1041
71↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 5%AI helps 53%Needs a human 42%
20422037–2051
12k
$87,220
Hydrologic TechniciansLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-4044
72↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 56%Needs a human 44%
20432038–2055
3k
$64,790
Environmental Restoration PlannersLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-2041.02
73↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 73%Needs a human 27%
20432038–2053
89k
$82,220
BiologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-1029.04
73↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 42%Needs a human 58%
20442038–2058
56k
$98,920
NeuropsychologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-3039.02
73↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 6%AI helps 29%Needs a human 65%
20412037–2051
19k
$110,840
Clinical NeuropsychologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-3039.03
73↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 5%AI helps 30%Needs a human 65%
20412037–2051
19k
$110,840
Zoologists and Wildlife BiologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-1023
73↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 12%AI helps 18%Needs a human 70%
20442038–2059
18k
$76,780
HydrologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-2043
73↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 50%Needs a human 50%
20432038–2054
6k
$96,600
Quality Control AnalystsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-4099.01
73↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 5%AI helps 45%Needs a human 50%
20442038–2059
74k
$62,280
Soil and Plant ScientistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-1013
74↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 6%AI helps 21%Needs a human 73%
20432038–2057
16k
$78,850
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including HealthLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-4042
74↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 5%AI helps 41%Needs a human 54%
20452038–2060+
35k
$55,090
Anthropologists and ArcheologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-3091
74↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 4%AI helps 23%Needs a human 73%
20432038–2058
9k
$70,770
Conservation ScientistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-1031
75↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 51%Needs a human 49%
20442038–2056
26k
$73,010
Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-5011
75↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 38%Needs a human 62%
20452039–2060+
141k
$90,150
Materials ScientistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-2032
75↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 7%AI helps 22%Needs a human 71%
20442038–2060+
8k
$117,790
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic TechniciansLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-4043
75↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 4%AI helps 29%Needs a human 67%
20452038–2060+
7k
$53,350
Park NaturalistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-1031.03
75↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 37%Needs a human 63%
20442038–2059
26k
$73,010
Molecular and Cellular BiologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-1029.02
75↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 33%Needs a human 67%
20442039–2058
56k
$98,920
Chemical TechniciansLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-4031
75↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 14%AI helps 0%Needs a human 86%
20452038–2060+
58k
$60,390
Biochemists and BiophysicistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-1021
76↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 4%AI helps 8%Needs a human 88%
20462038–2060+
34k
$127,410
Range ManagersLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-1031.02
76↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 38%Needs a human 62%
20442038–2056
26k
$73,010
ChemistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-2031
76↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 40%Needs a human 60%
20452038–2060+
83k
$91,240
Biological TechniciansLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-4021
76↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 4%AI helps 16%Needs a human 80%
20472038–2060+
70k
$57,510
Nuclear Monitoring TechniciansLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-4051.02
76↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 29%Needs a human 71%
20462039–2060+
6k
$110,240
ForestersLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-1032
76↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 34%Needs a human 66%
20452039–2060+
10k
$76,400
Occupational Health and Safety TechniciansLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-5012
77↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 44%Needs a human 56%
20452039–2060+
31k
$61,560
Food Science TechniciansLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-4013
77↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 5%AI helps 26%Needs a human 69%
20462038–2060+
15k
$52,130
Medical Scientists, Except EpidemiologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-1042
77↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 12%Needs a human 88%
20462038–2060+
172k
$103,410
Food Scientists and TechnologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-1012
77↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 21%Needs a human 79%
20472038–2060+
13k
$88,720
Forest and Conservation TechniciansLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-4071
79↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 6%AI helps 17%Needs a human 77%
20472039–2060+
30k
$54,560
Forensic Science TechniciansLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-4092
79↑ saferAI replace? A little.
AI does 0%AI helps 20%Needs a human 80%
20472039–2060+
19k
$72,060
MicrobiologistsLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-1022
80↑ saferAI replace? Nah.
AI does 0%AI helps 6%Needs a human 94%
20472038–2060+
19k
$87,990
Agricultural TechniciansLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-4012
80↑ saferAI replace? Nah.
AI does 2%AI helps 17%Needs a human 81%
20482039–2060+
15k
$49,630
Nuclear TechniciansLife, Physical, and Social Science · 19-4051
82↑ saferAI replace? Nah.
AI does 0%AI helps 12%Needs a human 88%
20492039–2060+
6k
$110,240