Acupuncturists
SOC Code: 29-1291
Acupuncturists carries a 28% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $78,140 and +6.8% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 15,300 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 28% AI exposure, Acupuncturists sits 9 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 23% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Acupuncturists sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Acupuncturists has ai exposure of 28%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Acupuncturists vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Acupuncturists is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Acupuncturists (SOC 29-1291) carries an AI exposure score of 28%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 15,300 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +6.8% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $78,140, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Master's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Acupuncturists. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Maintain and follow standard quality, safety, environmental, and infection control policies and procedures.
- 2. Treat patients using tools, such as needles, cups, ear balls, seeds, pellets, or nutritional supplements.
- 3. Adhere to local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and statutes.
- 4. Identify correct anatomical and proportional point locations based on patients' anatomy and positions, contraindications, and precautions related to treatments, such as intradermal needles, moxibustion, electricity, guasha, or bleeding.
- 5. Develop individual treatment plans and strategies.
- 6. Insert needles to provide acupuncture treatment.
- 7. Evaluate treatment outcomes and recommend new or altered treatments as necessary to further promote, restore, or maintain health.
- 8. Collect medical histories and general health and lifestyle information from patients.
- 9. Maintain detailed and complete records of health care plans and prognoses.
- 10. Educate patients on topics, such as meditation, ergonomics, stretching, exercise, nutrition, the healing process, breathing, or relaxation techniques.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Speaking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Writing
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Psychology
- Biology
- English Language
- Administrative
- Therapy and Counseling
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- Sales and Marketing
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Acupuncturists?
Acupuncturists has an AI exposure score of 28%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Acupuncturists?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Acupuncturists is projected to grow by 6.8% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 15,300 workers.
What skills are needed for Acupuncturists?
Key skills for Acupuncturists include Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, and others. Typical entry-level education is Master's degree.
How much do Acupuncturists earn?
The median annual wage for Acupuncturists is $78,140, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Acupuncturists?
The typical entry-level education for Acupuncturists is Master's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Acupuncturists?
Acupuncturists roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).