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Physician Assistants

Healthcaremediumaugment
BLS 2024-34: +20%
Median Wage: $130,020
Employment: 148K

Overall Exposure

33+11

2025 vs 2023

Theoretical Exposure

50

What AI could do

Observed Exposure

17

What AI actually does

Automation Risk Score

23

Displacement risk

3-Year Outlook (2025 โ†’ 2028)

Projected changes in AI automation metrics over the next 3 years based on estimated data.

Overall Exposure

33โ†’48
+15

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Theoretical Exposure

50โ†’67
+17

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Observed Exposure

17โ†’29
+12

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Automation Risk

23โ†’35
+12

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)

Detailed Metrics Table

YearOverallTheoreticalObservedRiskData Type
202322381014actual
202427441318actual
202533501723actual
202638562127estimated
202743622531estimated
202848672935estimated

Task Breakdown

Document patient histories and examination findings
62%ฮฒ 1
Analyze diagnostic test results
55%ฮฒ 1
Conduct physical examinations
12%ฮฒ 0
Develop and manage treatment plans
35%ฮฒ 0.5

About This Occupation

If you work as a Physician Assistant, AI is reshaping your profession. With an automation risk of 23/100 and overall exposure at 33%, this role faces medium transformation. The highest-impact area is document patient histories and examination findings at 62% automation. This is classified as an 'augment' role, where AI tools enhance clinical decision-making and documentation while hands-on patient care remains human-centered. BLS projects +20% growth through 2034, reflecting strong demand driven by physician shortages and expanded scope of practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

With an automation risk score of 23%, Physician Assistants has a low risk of AI replacement. Most tasks in this role require skills that are difficult for AI to replicate, such as complex decision-making, physical dexterity, or deep interpersonal interaction. AI is more likely to serve as a supportive tool.

The AI automation risk score for Physician Assistants is 23% (2025 data). Overall AI exposure is 33%, with 50% theoretical exposure and 17% observed exposure. The risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is +9 points.

The tasks with the highest automation potential for Physician Assistants are: Document patient histories and examination findings (62%), Analyze diagnostic test results (55%), Develop and manage treatment plans (35%). These rates reflect how much of each task current AI systems can handle, based on research data from Anthropic and academic sources.

The BLS projects +20% employment change for Physician Assistants from 2024 to 2034. Combined with an overall AI exposure of 33%, this occupation is experiencing both traditional labor market shifts and AI-driven transformation. Workers should monitor both employment trends and AI capability growth.

Since AI primarily augments capabilities in this role, professionals in Physician Assistants should embrace AI as a productivity multiplier. Focus on learning to use AI tools effectively, developing higher-order analytical and creative skills, and positioning yourself as someone who can leverage AI to deliver greater value.

Recent AI Impact Changes

Mar 2026: Published evergreen blog post analyzing AI impact on Physician Assistants. Automation risk 23%, AI exposure 33%, BLS projects 20% growth through 2034.

[Source: AI Changing Work Blog]