AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 19-2012.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Physicists?

Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.

Estimated AI task exposure
83%

Very High exposure

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

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

Digital/info work

81/100

Physical moat

13/100

Human moat

32/100

Rating coverage

100%

16 task statements / 16 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
Importance 96/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 60/100Weight 0.89
Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
Importance 92/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 64/100Weight 0.88
Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
Importance 91/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 54/100Weight 0.85
Collaborate with other scientists in the design, development, and testing of experimental, industrial, or medical equipment, instrumentation, and procedures.
Importance 83/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 43/100Weight 0.79
Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences.
Importance 94/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 24/100Weight 0.79
Observe the structure and properties of matter, and the transformation and propagation of energy, using equipment such as masers, lasers, and telescopes, to explore and identify the basic principles governing these phenomena.
Importance 82/100Relevance 93/100Frequency 40/100Weight 0.76
Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
Importance 74/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 35/100Weight 0.74
Teach physics to students.
Importance 72/100Relevance 89/100Frequency 47/100Weight 0.72
Write research proposals to receive funding.
Importance 82/100Relevance 96/100Frequency 19/100Weight 0.71
Develop theories and laws on the basis of observation and experiments, and apply these theories and laws to problems in areas such as nuclear energy, optics, and aerospace technology.
Importance 72/100Relevance 85/100Frequency 33/100Weight 0.67

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

$172,250

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

20,430

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

+7.2%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

1

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%

73 points lower exposure • 60% profile similarity

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

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

Bicycle Repairers

5%

78 points lower exposure • 55% profile similarity

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

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

Butchers and Meat Cutters

5%

78 points lower exposure • 55% profile similarity

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

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

Chefs and Head Cooks

12%

71 points lower exposure • 61% profile similarity

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

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

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

11%

72 points lower exposure • 62% profile similarity

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

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

Millwrights

5%

78 points lower exposure • 56% profile similarity

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

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
I am your guide.
Knowledge is your strongest upgrade.