Nursing assistants
SOC Code: 31-1131
Nursing assistants carries a 23% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $39,530 and +2.3% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 1,441,500 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 23% AI exposure, Nursing assistants sits 14 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 11% of them. It ranks among the more AI-resilient roles in the dataset.
Where Nursing assistants sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Nursing assistants has ai exposure of 23%. 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.
Nursing assistants vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Nursing assistants 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
Nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131) carries an AI exposure score of 23%, 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 1,441,500 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +2.3% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $39,530, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Postsecondary nondegree award, 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 Nursing assistants. 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. Turn or reposition bedridden patients.
- 2. Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.
- 3. Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink.
- 4. Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation.
- 5. Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output, reporting changes to medical or nursing staff.
- 6. Provide physical support to assist patients to perform daily living activities, such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, standing, walking, or exercising.
- 7. Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses.
- 8. Remind patients to take medications or nutritional supplements.
- 9. Review patients' dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to ensure patient receives appropriate diet.
- 10. Undress, wash, and dress patients who are unable to do so for themselves.
Key Skills Required
- Service Orientation
- Active Listening
- Social Perceptiveness
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Active Learning
- Judgment and Decision Making
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Education and Training
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Personnel and Human Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Nursing assistants?
Nursing assistants has an AI exposure score of 23%, 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 Nursing assistants?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Nursing assistants is projected to grow by 2.3% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 1,441,500 workers.
What skills are needed for Nursing assistants?
Key skills for Nursing assistants include Service Orientation, Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, and others. Typical entry-level education is Postsecondary nondegree award.
How much do Nursing assistants earn?
The median annual wage for Nursing assistants is $39,530, 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 Nursing assistants?
The typical entry-level education for Nursing assistants is Postsecondary nondegree award. 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 Nursing assistants?
Nursing assistants 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
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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).