29-9093.00

Surgical Assistants

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons. May, in accordance with state laws, help surgeons to make incisions and close surgical sites, manipulate or remove tissues, implant surgical devices or drains, suction the surgical site, place catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels or tissue, and apply dressings to surgical site.

Moderate Risk

AI will partially reshape this role

Safer than 56% of occupations we track

Frey & Osborne (2013) estimated 50% probability of automation for this role

paper →

56%

of jobs safer

445

jobs riskier than this

+5.1%

projected growth

Disruption Vector

Disruption Type

Human-Centric

This occupation relies heavily on human judgment, empathy, creativity, or physical dexterity that remains beyond current AI capabilities.

Surgical Assistants provide direct support during surgery — physically present, dexterous assistance that robotic systems like Intuitive's da Vinci are beginning to impact at the margins. However, full surgical assistance remains human through 2027, with AI/robotics augmenting rather than replacing human assistants for the majority of procedures. The role is relatively resilient in the near term.

Augmented byAI augmentation tools

Salary & Job Outlook

Median Annual Pay

$60,290

US Bureau of Labor Statistics

10-Year Job Growth

+5.1%

Faster than average

Education Required

Postsecondary nondegree award

Job Zone 3 / 5

AI Risk Timeline

5.5

5.8

6.1

6.7

Today

Current AI exposure

5 Years

Near-term outlook

10 Years

Medium-term risk

20 Years

Long-term trajectory

Projection model: Based on current AI capability growth rates. High-risk occupations are projected to see compounding automation pressure, while human-centric roles show slower risk accumulation. These are statistical projections, not guarantees.

Skills Analysis — AI Vulnerability

AI can replicate (0)

AI-resistant (2)

Mixed

Active Listening75%

Speaking72%

Service Orientation70%

Coordination68%

Time Management65%

Career Pivot Paths

If you're a Surgical Assistants, consider pivoting toward these lower-risk roles:

ChoreographersFaster than average

Hybrid Threat·Risk: 1.5/10·-4.0 pts safer

Forensic Science TechniciansMuch faster than average

Hybrid Threat·Risk: 1.6/10·-3.9 pts safer

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and PerformanceFaster than average

Human-Centric·Risk: 1.6/10·-3.9 pts safer

Veterinary Technologists and TechniciansFaster than average

Human-Centric·Risk: 1.7/10·-3.8 pts safer

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Surgical Assistants

5.5

/ 10

Moderate Risk

55% automation risk

"Safe-ish. AI is your coworker, not your replacement. Yet."

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I just checked if I'm cooked as a Surgical Assistants 🤖 AI risk score: 5.5/10 — Moderate Risk "Safe-ish. AI is your coworker, not your replacement. Yet." Check yours 👇 https://amicooked-five.vercel.app/results/29-9093.00 #AmICooked #AI #FutureOfWork

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SURGICAL ASSISTANTS

5.5

/ 10

MODERATE RISK

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You're safer than a Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers but riskier than a Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary.

This analysis is for informational purposes only and is based on statistical models and academic research. It does not constitute career advice and is not a guarantee of future employment outcomes. AI impact varies significantly by employer, region, and individual circumstances. Learn about our methodology →