Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Machines can already do 52% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 78%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 52% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 16% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 78% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 790 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $193,950 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 69% for contact with people.
- Also called: Consulting Psychologist, I-O Practitioner (Industrial-Organizational Practitioner), I-O Psychologist (Industrial-Organizational Psychologist), Industrial Psychologist.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyze data, using statistical methods and applications, to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of workplace programs | 10% | 55% to 85% | |
| Develop and implement employee selection or placement programs | 6% | 35% to 65% | |
| Develop interview techniques, rating scales, and psychological tests used to assess skills, abilities, and interests for the purpose of employee selection, placement, or promotion | 6% | 35% to 65% | |
| Facilitate organizational development and change | 6% | 30% to 60% | |
| Analyze job requirements and content to establish criteria for classification, selection, training, and other related personnel functions | 5% | 85% to 97% | |
| Advise management concerning personnel, managerial, and marketing policies and practices and their potential effects on organizational effectiveness and efficiency | 5% | 68% to 88% | |
| Conduct research studies of physical work environments, organizational structures, communication systems, group interactions, morale, or motivation to assess organizational functioning | 5% | 55% to 85% | |
| Write reports on research findings and implications to contribute to general knowledge or to suggest potential changes in organizational functioning | 5% | 70% to 95% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills industrial-organizational 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.
- Biologists68% of tasks by 2035 · US median $98,920
- Preventive Medicine Physicians52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $265,930
- Human Resources Managers51% of tasks by 2035 · US median $149,280
- Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary60% of tasks by 2035 · US median $101,420
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Industrial-Organizational Psychologists?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of industrial-organizational psychologists?
Machines can do 52% of the tasks of industrial-organizational psychologists today and 78% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 19-3032.00 (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). Industrial-Organizational Psychologists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/industrial-organizational-psychologists/