Pediatric Surgeons

Pediatric Surgeons score 36 out of 100, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks #461 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 18 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 2 on its own and 9 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 1 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

36/ 100

Moderate

Rank: #461of 923 jobs
US workers: 1,190BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $559,030a year
In real AI use: 1 of 18tasks, 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: 2 (11%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 9 (50%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 7 (39%)

Describe preoperative and postoperative treatments and procedures, such as sedatives, diets, antibiotics, or preparation and treatment of the patient's operative area, to parents or guardians of the patient.AI can speed this up on its own
Prepare case histories.AI can speed this up on its own
Analyze patient's medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and examination results to verify operation's necessity and to determine best procedure.AI can speed this up with extra software · Seen in real AI use
Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes.AI can speed this up with extra software
Consult with patient's other medical care specialists, such as cardiologist and endocrinologist, to determine if surgery is necessary.AI can speed this up with extra software
Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, residents, and other medical staff.AI can speed this up with extra software
Inform parents and guardians of child's health problems and surgical procedures through various channels, such as in-person and telecommunication systems.AI can speed this up with extra software
Interpret results of preoperative tests and physical examinations.AI can speed this up with extra software
Manage surgery services, including planning, scheduling and coordination, determination of procedures, or procurement of supplies and equipment.AI can speed this up with extra software
Monitor patient's recovery, making follow-up visits and using postoperative assessment techniques, such as blood and imaging tests.AI can speed this up with extra software
Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioners when necessary.AI can speed this up with extra software
Examine fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents, and diagnose health issues to determine need for intervention, such as surgery.Little or no AI speed-up
Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.Little or no AI speed-up
Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk.Little or no AI speed-up
Follow established surgical techniques during the operation.Little or no AI speed-up
Operate on fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, or improve or restore patients' functions.Little or no AI speed-up
Perform transplantation operations, such as organ transplants, on fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents.Little or no AI speed-up
Provide consultation and surgical assistance to other physicians and surgeons.Little or no AI speed-up

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Questions about pediatric surgeons and AI

Will AI replace pediatric surgeons?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Pediatric Surgeons score 36 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #461 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 11 of the job's 18 tasks, 2 of them on its own, while 7 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which pediatric surgeons tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Describe preoperative and postoperative treatments and procedures, such as sedatives, diets, antibiotics, or preparation and treatment of the patient's operative area, to parents or guardians of the patient"; "Prepare case histories".

Which pediatric surgeons tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Examine fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents, and diagnose health issues to determine need for intervention, such as surgery"; "Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility"; "Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 1 of the 18 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

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

About 1,190 people in the US, with median pay of $559,030 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.