Biostatisticians

Biostatisticians score 66 out of 100, which is high exposure to AI. That ranks #61 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 25 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 8 on its own and 17 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 14 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

66/ 100

High

Rank: #61of 923 jobs
US workers: 29,030for Statisticians
Median pay: $105,650a year
In real AI use: 14 of 25tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 8 (32%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 17 (68%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 0 (0%)

Write detailed analysis plans and descriptions of analyses and findings for research protocols or reports.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Calculate sample size requirements for clinical studies.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Write program code to analyze data with statistical analysis software.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Develop or implement data analysis algorithms.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Prepare articles for publication or presentation at professional conferences.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Write research proposals or grant applications for submission to external bodies.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Design or maintain databases of biological data.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Assign work to biostatistical assistants or programmers.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Draw conclusions or make predictions, based on data summaries or statistical analyses.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Analyze clinical or survey data, using statistical approaches such as longitudinal analysis, mixed-effect modeling, logistic regression analyses, and model-building techniques.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, and talk with colleagues to keep abreast of methodological or conceptual developments in fields such as biostatistics, pharmacology, life sciences, and social sciences.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Design research studies in collaboration with physicians, life scientists, or other professionals.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Prepare tables and graphs to present clinical data or results.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Provide biostatistical consultation to clients or colleagues.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Review clinical or other medical research protocols and recommend appropriate statistical analyses.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Determine project plans, timelines, or technical objectives for statistical aspects of biological research studies.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Prepare statistical data for inclusion in reports to data monitoring committees, federal regulatory agencies, managers, or clients.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Plan or direct research studies related to life sciences.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Monitor clinical trials or experiments to ensure adherence to established procedures or to verify the quality of data collected.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Collect data through surveys or experimentation.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Apply research or simulation results to extend biological theory or recommend new research projects.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Develop or use mathematical models to track changes in biological phenomena, such as the spread of infectious diseases.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Analyze archival data, such as birth, death, and disease records.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Design surveys to assess health issues.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Teach graduate or continuing education courses or seminars in biostatistics.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task

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Questions about biostatisticians and AI

Will AI replace biostatisticians?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Biostatisticians score 66 out of 100 (high exposure), #61 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 25 of the job's 25 tasks, 8 of them on its own. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which biostatisticians tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Write detailed analysis plans and descriptions of analyses and findings for research protocols or reports"; "Calculate sample size requirements for clinical studies"; "Write program code to analyze data with statistical analysis software".

Which biostatisticians tasks are hardest for AI?

Every task in this job has some AI exposure, though 17 of them need extra software built around the AI.

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 14 of the 25 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as biostatisticians, and what do they earn?

About 29,030 people in the US (figure for Statisticians), with median pay of $105,650 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.