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Physicians, Pathologists

The short answer

This job is expected to meaningfully change. AI can already assist with or automate many of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 47 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second most exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. That doesn't mean the job goes away—it means more of its tasks are the kind AI can help with.

How much AI could touch this job

More exposedband 4 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a third of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second most exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.

AI can help with or automate about 84% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  3. Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  4. Communicate pathologic findings to surgeons or other physicians.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  5. Identify the etiology, pathogenesis, morphological change, and clinical significance of diseases.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Obtain specimens by performing procedures, such as biopsies or fine needle aspirations (FNAs) of superficial nodules.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Perform autopsies to determine causes of deaths.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Testify in depositions or trials as an expert witness.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Radiologists

    Very similar work
    +37% pay71 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 37% more—$453,943 vs your $330,553 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a doctoral or professional degree, plus internship/residency.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Medicine and Dentistry
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Biology
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Physics
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Operation and Control
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Engineering and Technology
  • Dermatologists

    Similar work
    +16% pay66 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 16% more—$384,479 vs your $330,553 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a doctoral or professional degree, plus internship/residency.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Medicine and Dentistry
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Oral Expression
    • Deductive Reasoning

    New skills to build

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Psychology
    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Service Orientation
  • Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric

    Similar work
    +12% pay39 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 12% more—$370,132 vs your $330,553 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a doctoral or professional degree, plus internship/residency.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Medicine and Dentistry
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Control Precision
    • Response Orientation
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Finger Dexterity
  • Emergency Medicine Physicians

    Somewhat similar work
    slightly less pay123 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$310,131 vs your $330,553 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a doctoral or professional degree, plus internship/residency.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Medicine and Dentistry
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Biology
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Psychology
    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Wrist-Finger Speed
    • Service Orientation