AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 19-1022.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Microbiologists?

Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.

Estimated AI task exposure
51%

Moderate exposure

V11 weights occupation tasks using O*NET Importance, Relevance and Frequency ratings instead of treating every task equally.

14 tasks have usable Task Rating records; weighted-task coverage is 100%.

Digital/info work

60/100

Physical moat

43/100

Human moat

29/100

Rating coverage

100%

14 task statements / 14 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
Importance 90/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 74/100Weight 0.90
Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
Importance 82/100Relevance 86/100Frequency 78/100Weight 0.82
Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
Importance 80/100Relevance 91/100Frequency 73/100Weight 0.82
Monitor and perform tests on water, food, and the environment to detect harmful microorganisms or to obtain information about sources of pollution, contamination, or infection.
Importance 82/100Relevance 82/100Frequency 71/100Weight 0.79
Use a variety of specialized equipment, such as electron microscopes, gas and high-pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence-activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
Importance 79/100Relevance 91/100Frequency 62/100Weight 0.79
Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
Importance 82/100Relevance 77/100Frequency 71/100Weight 0.77
Prepare technical reports and recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
Importance 76/100Relevance 91/100Frequency 45/100Weight 0.74
Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
Importance 78/100Relevance 82/100Frequency 56/100Weight 0.74
Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health.
Importance 64/100Relevance 96/100Frequency 48/100Weight 0.72
Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter.
Importance 67/100Relevance 82/100Frequency 61/100Weight 0.71

Task weighting

Each rated task receives a composite weight: 38% relevance, 37% importance and 25% frequency. Core tasks receive a small additional multiplier. Low-precision rows flagged by O*NET for suppression are excluded.

Occupation scoring

When rating coverage is strong, rated tasks contribute 60% of the digital, physical and human task signals and Work Activities contribute 40%. Lower-coverage occupations automatically rely more on Work Activities.

U.S. labor market

BLS Wage & Employment Outlook

Median annual wage

$87,990

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

18,940

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

+6.2%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

2

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

BLS labor-market figures are separate from the site's AI-exposure model. Missing values mean a compatible detailed BLS occupation estimate was not published or could not be mapped.

Career pivot radar

Safer Career Alternatives

These options are selected from the same 923-occupation model. They favor a similar task/work profile with meaningfully lower estimated AI exposure. They are suggestions for exploration, not guarantees of job fit.

SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Bicycle Repairers

5%

46 points lower exposure • 74% profile similarity

Median wage: $42,780 Growth 2025–2035: -5.7% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Hydroelectric Production Managers

10%

41 points lower exposure • 77% profile similarity

Median wage: $126,060 Growth 2025–2035: +2.6% Annual openings: 17

stronger human/judgment moat, more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Butchers and Meat Cutters

5%

46 points lower exposure • 72% profile similarity

Median wage: $40,140 Growth 2025–2035: +2.4% Annual openings: 15

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Millwrights

5%

46 points lower exposure • 74% profile similarity

Median wage: $65,700 Growth 2025–2035: +0.9% Annual openings: 3

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

5%

46 points lower exposure • 72% profile similarity

Median wage: $56,210 Growth 2025–2035: +4.4% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Chefs and Head Cooks

12%

39 points lower exposure • 78% profile similarity

Median wage: $62,470 Growth 2025–2035: +6.6% Annual openings: 25

stronger human/judgment moat, more physical-world work

Personalized career defense protocol

AI-Proofing Plan

AUTOMATE

  • routine information gathering
  • first-pass document drafting
  • standard reporting and summarization
  • repeatable administrative workflows

AUGMENT

  • research and analysis
  • quality checking AI-generated work
  • decision preparation
  • scenario generation

PROTECT

  • domain expertise
  • exception handling
  • accountability for outcomes

LEARN

  • AI-assisted research
  • workflow automation
  • data literacy
  • prompt and workflow design
  • AI output verification

AI-PROOFING RESOURCES

What this score does not mean

The percentage is a comparative task-exposure index. It is not the probability that this occupation disappears, that a worker is laid off, or that AI can perform the entire job.

New in V11

Find a Safer Career Path

High exposure does not mean starting over. V11 compares your occupation with the other 922 O*NET occupations and surfaces lower-exposure options with similar work profiles.

EXPLORE CAREER ALTERNATIVES
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