Registered nurses
SOC Code: 29-1141
Registered nurses carries a 26% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $93,600 and +4.9% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 3,391,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 26% AI exposure, Registered nurses sits 11 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 18% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Registered nurses sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Registered nurses has ai exposure of 26%. 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.
Registered nurses vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Registered nurses 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
Registered nurses (SOC 29-1141) carries an AI exposure score of 26%, 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 3,391,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +4.9% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $93,600, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor'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 Registered nurses. 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. Evaluate patients' vital signs or laboratory data to determine emergency intervention needs.
- 2. Assess patients' mental and physical status, based on the presenting symptoms and complaints.
- 3. Discuss illnesses and treatments with patients and family members.
- 4. Diagnose acute or chronic conditions that could result in rapid physiological deterioration or life-threatening instability.
- 5. Diagnose psychiatric disorders and mental health conditions.
- 6. Document patients' medical and psychological histories, physical assessment results, diagnoses, treatment plans, prescriptions, or outcomes.
- 7. Educate patients and family members about mental health and medical conditions, preventive health measures, medications, or treatment plans.
- 8. Write prescriptions for psychotropic medications as allowed by state regulations and collaborative practice agreements.
- 9. Monitor patients' medication usage and results.
- 10. Monitor patients for changes in status and indications of conditions such as sepsis or shock and institute appropriate interventions.
Key Skills Required
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Listening
- Writing
Knowledge Areas
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Education and Training
- Psychology
- English Language
- Biology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Registered nurses?
Registered nurses has an AI exposure score of 26%, 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 Registered nurses?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Registered nurses is projected to grow by 4.9% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 3,391,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Registered nurses?
Key skills for Registered nurses include Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Registered nurses earn?
The median annual wage for Registered nurses is $93,600, 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 Registered nurses?
The typical entry-level education for Registered nurses is Bachelor'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 Registered nurses?
Registered nurses 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).