All occupations
Export

Ecologists

Life, Physical & Social Sciences
Projected change 2024–34: +3.4%
Median annual wage (2024): $67,950
Employment (2024): 29K

United States · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34 (figures for SOC 19-1031 occupational group)

AI exposure in published research

Figures below are reproduced from external datasets without modification. Where a dataset does not cover this occupation, the value is shown as — rather than as zero.

Data provider: OpenAI · "GPTs are GPTs"

Time basis: 2023 baselineex-ante estimate

Scored against GPT-4-generation capability.

Human rater basis

This occupation code is not included in this dataset.

GPT-4 rater basis

This occupation code is not included in this dataset.

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

This occupation code is not included in this dataset.

License:
MIT License · Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI

Data provider: Anthropic Economic Index

Time basis: Published 2026-03-05composite index

Observed exposure
0.0%

Theoretical exposure index weighted by measured Claude usage, per the original report's definition.

55 tasks · usage observed in 0 · mean 0.0%

Data: Anthropic Economic Index — labor_market_impacts, CC-BY, https://huggingface.co/datasets/Anthropic/EconomicIndex

AI Changing Work uses Anthropic Economic Index data under CC-BY; Anthropic does not endorse or sponsor this site or its analyses.

Version:
hf-lmi-2026-03
License:
CC BY 4.0
Observation period:
(not applicable to this release)
Model:
(not stated by the source)

2023 prediction vs observation-based index published 2026-03-05

One card (GPTs are GPTs) is a 2023 estimate of what AI could theoretically do; the other (Anthropic Economic Index) is built from observed usage and was published on 2026-03-05 — that is its publication date, not the period it observed. They measure different things, so the two figures cannot be added, averaged, or ranked against each other. The older figure is kept here as a baseline for comparison rather than removed.

Caution: the Anthropic figures — observed exposure and task penetration — take the Eloundou β as one of their inputs. The two sides resembling each other is therefore not evidence that the earlier prediction came true; reading it that way is circular reasoning.

The Anthropic figures are measured on Claude users, who are not the whole economy and not the whole workforce.

The mapping of O*NET tasks and occupation codes was performed by AI Changing Work. The source figures themselves were not modified.

These indices are not forecasts. Which point in time each one belongs to is stated on the badge on its card.

Task Breakdown

  • Analyze species population data and biodiversity metrics
  • Conduct field surveys and habitat assessments
  • Write environmental impact reports and policy briefs

About This Occupation

If you work as an Ecologist, AI is augmenting your data analysis and environmental modeling. With an automation risk of 20/100 and overall exposure at 45%, this role faces medium transformation. Species data analysis sees the highest automation at 65%. BLS projects +5% growth through 2034.

ISCO-08 classification

Unit group 2133ILO official

Environmental Protection Professionals

Definition

ILO original text (English)

Environmental protection professionals study and assess the effects on the environment of human activity such as air, water and noise pollution, soil contamination, climate change, toxic waste and depletion and degradation of natural resources. They develop plans and solutions to protect, conserve, restore, minimize and prevent further damage to the environment.

Definition & vocabulary source

Source: International Labour Organization (ILO) — ISCO-08 Structure

License: ILO CC BY 4.0

View original

Official occupational information

  • ONET19-1031.00

    Conservation Scientists

    Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.

    View original
  • ONET19-2041.00

    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

    Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

    View original
  • ONET19-2041.03

    Industrial Ecologists

    Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.

    View original

Source: O*NET 30.2, U.S. DOL/ETA

License: CC BY 4.0

View original

Frequently Asked Questions

The Anthropic Economic Index puts observed exposure at 0.0%. Both figures are reproduced from published research without modification.

They come from two published datasets: the Anthropic Economic Index (labor_market_impacts, CC BY 4.0) and the OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric (MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI). AI Changing Work maps them onto O*NET occupation and task codes and does not calculate exposure scores of its own. AI Changing Work uses Anthropic Economic Index data under CC-BY; Anthropic does not endorse or sponsor this site or its analyses.

No. They are a diagnosis of exposure as measured at the time each source dataset was published. AI Changing Work publishes no prediction of future automation or job displacement for this occupation.