Radiologists
Machines can already do 33% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 52%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Radiologists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 33% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 20% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 52% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 26,770 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $420,860 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 79% for contact with people.
- Also called: Attending Physician, Diagnostic Radiologist, Interventional Neuroradiologist, Interventional Radiologist.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perform or interpret the outcomes of diagnostic imaging procedures including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), nuclear cardiology treadmill studies, mammography, or ultrasound | 32% | 3% to 25% | |
| Prepare comprehensive interpretive reports of findings | 22% | 70% to 82% | |
| Communicate examination results or diagnostic information to referring physicians, patients, or families | 6% | 32% to 52% | |
| Obtain patients' histories from electronic records, patient interviews, dictated reports, or by communicating with referring clinicians | 5% | 50% to 72% | |
| Confer with medical professionals regarding image-based diagnoses | 5% | 27% to 46% | |
| Perform interventional procedures such as image-guided biopsy, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, transhepatic biliary drainage, or nephrostomy catheter placement | 5% | 3% to 25% | |
| Review or transmit images and information using picture archiving or communications systems | 3% | 56% to 77% | |
| Participate in continuing education activities to maintain and develop expertise | 3% | 40% to 68% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills radiologists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Orthodontists40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $289,140
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $292,910
- Physician Assistants51% of tasks by 2035 · US median $135,880
- Family Medicine Physicians50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $244,180
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Radiologists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of radiologists?
Machines can do 33% of the tasks of radiologists today and 52% 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 29-1224.00 (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). Radiologists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/radiologists/