Music Therapists

Music Therapists score 43 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #369 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 30 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 4 on its own and 18 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 7 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

43/ 100

Elevated

Rank: #369of 923 jobs
US workers: 22,640for Therapists, All Other
Median pay: $77,930a year
In real AI use: 7 of 30tasks, 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: 4 (13%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 18 (60%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 8 (27%)

Document evaluations, treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to music therapy.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Participate in continuing education.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Compose, arrange, or adapt music for music therapy treatments.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Design or provide music therapy experiences to address client needs, such as using music for self-care, adjusting to life changes, improving cognitive functioning, raising self-esteem, communicating, or controlling impulses.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Design music therapy experiences, using various musical elements to meet client's goals or objectives.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Sing or play musical instruments, such as keyboard, guitar, or percussion instruments.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Customize treatment programs for specific areas of music therapy, such as intellectual or developmental disabilities, educational settings, geriatrics, medical settings, mental health, physical disabilities, or wellness.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Establish client goals or objectives for music therapy treatment, considering client needs, capabilities, interests, overall therapeutic program, coordination of treatment, or length of treatment.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Gather diagnostic data from sources such as case documentation, observations of clients, or interviews with clients or family members.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Plan or structure music therapy sessions to achieve appropriate transitions, pacing, sequencing, energy level, or intensity in accordance with treatment plans.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Engage clients in music experiences to identify client responses to different styles of music, types of musical experiences, such as improvising or listening, or elements of music, such as tempo or harmony.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Communicate client assessment findings and recommendations in oral, written, audio, video, or other forms.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Confer with professionals on client's treatment team to develop, coordinate, or integrate treatment plans.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Select or adapt musical instruments, musical equipment, or non-musical materials, such as adaptive devices or visual aids, to meet treatment objectives.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Analyze or synthesize client data to draw conclusions or make recommendations for therapy.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Collaborate with others to design or implement interdisciplinary treatment programs.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Apply selected research findings to practice.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Analyze data to determine the effectiveness of specific treatments or therapy approaches.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Adapt existing or develop new music therapy assessment instruments or procedures to meet an individual client's needs.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Apply current technology to music therapy practices.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Conduct, or assist in the conduct of, music therapy research.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Communicate with clients to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to musical experiences.Little or no AI speed-up · core task · Seen in real AI use
Assess client functioning levels, strengths, and areas of need in terms of perceptual, sensory, affective, communicative, musical, physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, or other abilities.Little or no AI speed-up · core task · Seen in real AI use
Improvise instrumentally, vocally, or physically to meet client's therapeutic needs.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Integrate behavioral, developmental, improvisational, medical, or neurological approaches into music therapy treatments.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Identify and respond to emergency physical or mental health situations.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Conduct information sharing sessions, such as in-service workshops for other professionals, potential client groups, or the general community.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Supervise staff, volunteers, practicum students, or interns engaged in music therapy activities.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Assess the risks and benefits of treatment termination for clients.Little or no AI speed-up · core task

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Questions about music therapists and AI

Will AI replace music therapists?

Not entirely. Parts of the job are likely to change as AI takes over routine tasks. Music Therapists score 43 out of 100 (elevated exposure), #369 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 22 of the job's 30 tasks, 4 of them on its own, while 8 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which music therapists tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Document evaluations, treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups"; "Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to music therapy"; "Participate in continuing education".

Which music therapists tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Communicate with clients to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to musical experiences"; "Assess client functioning levels, strengths, and areas of need in terms of perceptual, sensory, affective, communicative, musical, physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, or other abilities"; "Improvise instrumentally, vocally, or physically to meet client's therapeutic needs".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 7 of the 30 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

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

About 22,640 people in the US (figure for Therapists, All Other), with median pay of $77,930 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.