Anesthesiologists
SOC Code: 29-1211
Anesthesiologists carries a 29% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk) and +3.2% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 45,300 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 29% AI exposure, Anesthesiologists sits 8 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 27% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Anesthesiologists sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Anesthesiologists has ai exposure of 29%. 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.
Anesthesiologists vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Anesthesiologists 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
Anesthesiologists (SOC 29-1211) carries an AI exposure score of 29%, 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 45,300 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.2% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Entry typically requires Doctoral or professional 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 Anesthesiologists. 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. Monitor patient before, during, and after anesthesia and counteract adverse reactions or complications.
- 2. Record type and amount of anesthesia and patient condition throughout procedure.
- 3. Provide and maintain life support and airway management and help prepare patients for emergency surgery.
- 4. Administer anesthetic or sedation during medical procedures, using local, intravenous, spinal, or caudal methods.
- 5. Examine patient, obtain medical history, and use diagnostic tests to determine risk during surgical, obstetrical, and other medical procedures.
- 6. Position patient on operating table to maximize patient comfort and surgical accessibility.
- 7. Coordinate administration of anesthetics with surgeons during operation.
- 8. Decide when patients have recovered or stabilized enough to be sent to another room or ward or to be sent home following outpatient surgery.
- 9. Confer with other medical professionals to determine type and method of anesthetic or sedation to render patient insensible to pain.
- 10. Order laboratory tests, x-rays, and other diagnostic procedures.
Key Skills Required
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Science
- Complex Problem Solving
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
Knowledge Areas
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- English Language
- Chemistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Anesthesiologists?
Anesthesiologists has an AI exposure score of 29%, 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 Anesthesiologists?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Anesthesiologists is projected to grow by 3.2% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 45,300 workers.
What skills are needed for Anesthesiologists?
Key skills for Anesthesiologists include Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Monitoring, and others. Typical entry-level education is Doctoral or professional degree.
How much do Anesthesiologists earn?
Wage data for Anesthesiologists varies by region, experience, and employer. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes median wage estimates in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Anesthesiologists?
The typical entry-level education for Anesthesiologists is Doctoral or professional degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Internship/residency. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Anesthesiologists?
Anesthesiologists 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).