Physicians and Surgeons
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Physicians and Surgeons in the United States earn a median salary of $239,200 per year — about $115 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 839K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +3%.
AI & Automation Risk
Physicians and surgeons have moderate exposure because while AI can significantly automate digital tasks like diagnostic image interpretation (radiology), medical history analysis, and treatment planning, the core of the job requires physical presence, manual dexterity for procedures, and complex interpersonal communication. The high-stakes nature of medical liability and the need for human empathy in patient care provide a natural barrier to full automation, though AI will drastically increase productivity in information-heavy specialties.