Physicians, Pathologists
Machines can already do 47% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 65%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Physicians, Pathologists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 47% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 16% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2029, and 65% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 11,110 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $312,400 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 61% for contact with people.
- Also called: Anatomic Pathologist, Cytopathologist, Dermatopathologist, Forensic Pathologist.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities | 24% | 73% to 82% | |
| Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology | 16% | 29% to 57% | |
| Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions | 14% | 63% to 81% | |
| Communicate pathologic findings to surgeons or other physicians | 6% | 27% to 51% | |
| Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in pathology | 5% | 64% to 78% | |
| Analyze and interpret results from tests, such as microbial or parasite tests, urine analyses, hormonal assays, fine needle aspirations (FNAs), and polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) | 5% | 54% to 76% | |
| Manage medical laboratories | 5% | 9% to 26% | |
| Consult with physicians about ordering and interpreting tests or providing treatments | 4% | 27% to 51% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills physicians, pathologists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Hospitalists41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $265,930
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians49% of tasks by 2035 · US median $265,930
- Pediatricians, General43% of tasks by 2035 · US median $210,040
- Orthodontists40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $289,140
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Physicians, Pathologists?
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 physicians, pathologists?
Machines can do 47% of the tasks of physicians, pathologists today and 65% 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 29-1222.00 (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). Physicians, Pathologists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/physicians-pathologists/