Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Machines can already do 43% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 67%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 43% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 6% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2029, and 67% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 75,990 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $100,580 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 76% for contact with people.
- Also called: Case Manager, Clinical Psychologist, Counseling Psychologist, Counselor.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans | 19% | 35% to 58% | |
| Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans | 12% | 70% to 95% | |
| Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment | 12% | 35% to 58% | |
| Use a variety of treatment methods, such as psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, or play therapy | 10% | 35% to 58% | |
| Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials | 4% | 25% to 50% | |
| Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork | 4% | 70% to 95% | |
| Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods | 4% | 82% to 97% | |
| Select, administer, score, and interpret psychological tests to obtain information on individuals' intelligence, achievements, interests, or personalities | 4% | 30% to 54% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills clinical and counseling psychologists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Healthcare Social Workers54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $67,880
- Directors, Religious Activities and Education58% of tasks by 2035 · US median $52,100
- Psychiatric Technicians32% of tasks by 2035 · US median $45,130
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors60% of tasks by 2035 · US median $64,330
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Clinical and Counseling Psychologists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2029. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of clinical and counseling psychologists?
Machines can do 43% of the tasks of clinical and counseling psychologists today and 67% 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 19-3033.00 (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). Clinical and Counseling Psychologists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/clinical-and-counseling-psychologists/