Anesthesiologists
Machines can already do 18% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 41%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Anesthesiologists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 18% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2038, and 41% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 38,760 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $391,490 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 96% for contact with people.
- Also called: Anesthesiologist MD (Anesthesiologist Medical Doctor), Anesthesiology Resident, Attending Anesthesiologist, Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitor patient before, during, and after anesthesia and counteract adverse reactions or complications | 25% | 3% to 25% | |
| Administer anesthetic or sedation during medical procedures, using local, intravenous, spinal, or caudal methods | 11% | 27% to 64% | |
| Examine patient, obtain medical history, and use diagnostic tests to determine risk during surgical, obstetrical, and other medical procedures | 10% | 3% to 25% | |
| Provide and maintain life support and airway management and help prepare patients for emergency surgery | 7% | 3% to 25% | |
| Record type and amount of anesthesia and patient condition throughout procedure | 6% | 63% to 81% | |
| Coordinate and direct work of nurses, medical technicians, and other health care providers | 5% | 9% to 23% | |
| Teach anesthesiology principles to residents | 4% | 22% to 42% | |
| Coordinate administration of anesthetics with surgeons during operation | 4% | 27% to 46% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills anesthesiologists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric38% of tasks by 2035 · US median $358,550
- Pediatric Surgeons39% of tasks by 2035 · US median $559,030
- Nurse Anesthetists36% of tasks by 2035 · US median $236,590
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric37% of tasks by 2035 · US median $300,080
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Anesthesiologists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2038. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of anesthesiologists?
Machines can do 18% of the tasks of anesthesiologists today and 41% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-1211.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Anesthesiologists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/anesthesiologists/