Nursing Assistants
Machines can already do 15% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 45%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Nursing Assistants in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 15% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2037, and 45% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 1,448,910 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $42,260 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 79% for contact with people.
- Also called: Certified Medication Aide (CMA), Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Certified Nurses Aide (CNA), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 17% | 3% to 30% | |
| Undress, wash, and dress patients who are unable to do so for themselves | 10% | 3% to 30% | |
| Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs | 7% | 35% to 58% | |
| Record vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing staff | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Turn or reposition bedridden patients | 4% | 30% to 75% | |
| Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses | 4% | 55% to 88% | |
| Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers | 4% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills nursing assistants use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Psychiatric Aides44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $44,910
- Childcare Workers44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $34,980
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses33% of tasks by 2035 · US median $64,400
- Nannies42% of tasks by 2035 · US median $34,980
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Nursing Assistants?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2037. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of nursing assistants?
Machines can do 15% of the tasks of nursing assistants today and 45% 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 31-1131.00 (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). Nursing Assistants: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/nursing-assistants/