AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 31-2021.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Physical Therapist Assistants?

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

Estimated AI task exposure
41%

Moderate exposure

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

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

Digital/info work

48/100

Physical moat

33/100

Human moat

38/100

Rating coverage

100%

21 task statements / 21 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
Importance 97/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 98/100Weight 0.99
Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.
Importance 96/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 97/100Weight 0.98
Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
Importance 97/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 94/100Weight 0.97
Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.
Importance 92/100Relevance 99/100Frequency 96/100Weight 0.96
Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
Importance 89/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 87/100Weight 0.93
Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
Importance 82/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 89/100Weight 0.90
Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
Importance 86/100Relevance 96/100Frequency 88/100Weight 0.90
Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
Importance 88/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 73/100Weight 0.89
Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
Importance 86/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 72/100Weight 0.88
Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.
Importance 82/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 69/100Weight 0.85

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

$68,380

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

112,430

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

+23.0%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

18

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

Hydroelectric Production Managers

10%

31 points lower exposure • 83% profile similarity

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

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

Chefs and Head Cooks

12%

29 points lower exposure • 83% profile similarity

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

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

Butchers and Meat Cutters

5%

36 points lower exposure • 77% profile similarity

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

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

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

11%

30 points lower exposure • 83% profile similarity

Median wage: $49,450 Growth 2025–2035: +1.5% Annual openings: 4

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

Bicycle Repairers

5%

36 points lower exposure • 75% profile similarity

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

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

Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

22%

19 points lower exposure • 88% profile similarity

Median wage: $59,050 Growth 2025–2035: +4.1% Annual openings: 21

more physical-world work, lower AI leverage

Personalized career defense protocol

AI-Proofing Plan

AUTOMATE

    AUGMENT

      PROTECT

      • domain expertise
      • exception handling
      • accountability for outcomes

      LEARN

      • cross-functional business knowledge
      • risk and governance

      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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