AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 15-1299.04 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Penetration Testers?

Evaluate network system security by conducting simulated internal and external cyberattacks using adversary tools and techniques. Attempt to breach and exploit critical systems and gain access to sensitive information to assess system security.

Estimated AI task exposure
67%

High exposure

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

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

Digital/info work

61/100

Physical moat

16/100

Human moat

17/100

Rating coverage

100%

22 task statements / 22 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Document penetration test findings.
Importance 96/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 57/100Weight 0.88
Identify security system weaknesses, using penetration tests.
Importance 94/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 60/100Weight 0.88
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of hacking trends.
Importance 88/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 66/100Weight 0.87
Gather cyber intelligence to identify vulnerabilities.
Importance 89/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 64/100Weight 0.87
Keep up with new penetration testing tools and methods.
Importance 87/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 62/100Weight 0.86
Identify new threat tactics, techniques, or procedures used by cyber threat actors.
Importance 86/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 64/100Weight 0.86
Write audit reports to communicate technical and procedural findings and recommend solutions.
Importance 90/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 51/100Weight 0.84
Test the security of systems by attempting to gain access to networks, Web-based applications, or computers.
Importance 84/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 56/100Weight 0.83
Develop security penetration testing processes, such as wireless, data networks, and telecommunication security tests.
Importance 84/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 52/100Weight 0.82
Evaluate vulnerability assessments of local computing environments, networks, infrastructures, or enclave boundaries.
Importance 83/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 51/100Weight 0.81

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

$116,580

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

435,370

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

+5.1%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

27

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

Helpers--Extraction Workers

5%

62 points lower exposure • 65% profile similarity

Median wage: $47,730 Growth 2025–2035: +1.7% Annual openings: 1

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

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

5%

62 points lower exposure • 65% profile similarity

Median wage: $65,510 Growth 2025–2035: +6.7% Annual openings: 15

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

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

5%

62 points lower exposure • 64% profile similarity

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

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

Wind Turbine Service Technicians

5%

62 points lower exposure • 65% profile similarity

Median wage: $64,120 Growth 2025–2035: +29.5% Annual openings: 2

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

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

8%

59 points lower exposure • 67% profile similarity

Median wage: $79,870 Growth 2025–2035: +5.4% Annual openings: 11

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

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders

6%

61 points lower exposure • 66% profile similarity

Median wage: $58,870 Growth 2025–2035: +2.8% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure

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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