Headline risk
43%
High RiskAI Engineer
AI displacement pressure score based on US employment data, wages, and demand signals. Built from 3 related occupations weighted by relevance.
Why this score
87% of tasks overlap with current AI
24% human advantage from judgment & presence
79% demand buffer from the local labour market
These factors interact with each other — the final score is not a simple sum of these bars.
Share of tasks AI can handle today
Work that requires human presence or coordination
How strong local hiring demand is for this role
How complete the underlying data is
Workflow profile
How this role's daily work breaks down across different dimensions.
Workflow dimensions (0 = low, 1 = high)
US employment data
Employment overview
Share of job tasks AI can currently perform
Annual median wage
Projected employment change 2024–2034
Education and training typically needed
Key metrics
Job zone
5The occupation usually needs extensive preparation, training, and experience.
Median wage
USD 140,910USD 102,710 to USD 181,210
Openings
3.2K19.7% projected change
Median age
46.4646K employed
What this job involves
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
Entry requirements: Extensive preparation
The occupation usually needs extensive preparation, training, and experience.
Wage context
Median annual
USD 140,910
Mean annual
USD 152,310
10th percentile: USD 80,670
25th percentile: USD 102,710
75th percentile: USD 181,210
90th percentile: USD 232,120
Hourly median: USD 68
Employment: 38,480 workers
Demand outlook
Current employment
40.3K
Projected employment
48.3K
Openings: 3.2K
Projected change: 19.7%
Education: Master's degree
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
Median wage: USD 140,910
Employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 20 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Workforce profile
Based on a survey of workers currently in this occupation.
Protects from AI displacement
- Can telework 62.8% of workers
- License required 7.6% of workers
Typical background
- No education requirement 6.3% of workers
- High school diploma 27.2% of workers
- Bachelor's degree 52.3% of workers
- Associate's degree 12.7% of workers
- On-the-job training 40.83% of workers
- Prior work experience 71.6% of workers
Day-to-day work
Computer and information research scientists design innovative uses for new and existing computing technology.
Most computer and information research scientists work full time.
Computer and information research scientists typically need at least a master’s degree in computer science or a related field. In the federal government, a bachelor’s degree may be sufficient for some jobs.
Key tasks
- 1. Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software. · AI can do 87%
- 2. Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers. · AI can do 90%
- 3. Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses. · AI can do 0%
- 4. Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems. · AI can do 0%
- 5. Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals. · AI can do 100%
- 6. Design computers and the software that runs them. · AI can do 0%
Tools commonly used
Work environment
- E-Mail 5.0/5
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled 4.8/5
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams 4.7/5
- Spend Time Sitting 4.5/5
- Contact With Others 4.4/5
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team 4.4/5
Who does this work
Median age: 46.4
646K employed · Under 25: 1% · 25–54: 78% · 55+: 22%
Data sources: O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Component occupations
Computer and information research scientists
15-1221 · 40% weight
Data scientist
Support bundle: Extensive preparation
Software developers
15-1252 · 40% weight
Software developer
Support bundle: Moderate preparation
Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary
25-1022 · 20% weight
Enterprise/Solution architect
Support bundle: Extensive preparation
How this score works
The score measures how much this role's tasks overlap with current AI capabilities, adjusted for human-only requirements and local job market demand. This is a structural pressure estimate, not a prediction of job losses. Learn how scores work →