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AI Automation Index
Will AI Replace Cytogenetic Technologists?
Task-level automation exposure for Cytogenetic Technologists: 30 O*NET tasks scored against their work activities, plus the simulator.
E-E-A-T Verified
Developed & audited by Gini Loh Automation Exposure
34%
weighted task index
30 of 30 tasks scored
Median Salary
$62,930 / year
BLS OEWS, May 2025 — this exact occupation
Employment Level
Very High
332,940 people hold this job — size, not growth
Projected 2025–35
+2.7%
employment change
20,800 openings a year · BLS roll-up 29-2010
Pay by state
BLS OEWS publishes 54 state estimates for this occupation. Each is its own survey estimate, not the national median adjusted for local prices.
$37,790 – $97,280
Highest medians
New York $97,280
Oregon $83,010
New Hampshire $81,020
Massachusetts $79,120
Vermont $78,680
Lowest medians
Puerto Rico $37,790
Guam $45,130
New Mexico $47,360
Idaho $47,450
Virgin Islands $48,650
OEWS has no state row for this exact code, so figures come from the 29-2010 roll-up. States where the estimate was suppressed or too small to publish are absent.
What the score is made of
Each task is mapped to its work activities, scored for AI automation potential, and weighted by how important those activities are to the job. These are the components.
Automation potential 34%
Importance-weighted mean of the scored tasks. This is the headline index.
Physical work 35%
Share of weighted tasks in hands-on or machine-operating work activities.
Judgment & influence 38%
Share in analysis, decisions, teaching, directing, advising, or caring for others.
Routine administration 9%
Share in documenting, recording, and administrative activities.
Rewritten by O*NET 0%
Share of weighted tasks O*NET rewrote in a recent update. Reported, not folded into the score.
Consequence of error 25/100
Low
O*NET's own rating of how serious an uncorrectable mistake would be here — respondents, not us. Deliberately not in the index: the score measures what AI can do with the task content, and multiplying it by stakes would be our judgment dressed as data.
Constituent Task Mix
30 tasks for this occupation, weighted by work-activity importance. Shares below are of total task weight, not task count.
High exposure (≥ 60% of the task is automatable) 14%
4 tasks
Medium exposure (≥ 35%) 44%
14 tasks
Low exposure (below 35%) 42%
12 tasks
How would you survive?
Move your week away from the high-exposure tasks and toward the ones that need judgment. The simulator recalculates the index as you shift the mix.
Simulate Upskilling →Constituent Tasks
#17390 · Core · 8% automatable
Arrange and attach chromosomes in numbered pairs on karyotype charts, using standard genetics laboratory practices and nomenclature, to identify normal or abnormal chromosomes.
physical manipulation — Manual specimen preparation
Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
#17391 · Core · 35% automatable
Analyze chromosomes found in biological specimens to aid diagnoses and treatments for genetic diseases such as congenital disabilities, fertility problems, and hematological disorders.
physical manipulation — Specimen analysis requires lab instruments and hands
Analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems.
#17388 · Core · 8% automatable
Prepare biological specimens such as amniotic fluids, bone marrow, tumors, chorionic villi, and blood, for chromosome examinations.
physical manipulation — Manual specimen preparation
Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
#17382 · Core · 5% automatable
Harvest cell cultures using substances such as mitotic arrestants, cell releasing agents, and cell fixatives.
physical manipulation — Invasive specimen collection needs hands-on clinical skill
Collect biological specimens from patients.
#17385 · Core · 35% automatable
Examine chromosomes found in biological specimens to detect abnormalities.
physical manipulation — Specimen analysis requires lab instruments and hands
Analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems.
#17380 · Core · 8% automatable
Prepare slides of cell cultures following standard procedures.
physical manipulation — Manual specimen preparation
Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
#20568 · Core · 80% automatable
Input details of specimen processing, analysis, and technical issues into logs or laboratory information systems (LIS).
data analysis — Patient data entry largely automatable with review
Enter patient or treatment data into computers.
#20569 · Core · 20% automatable
Apply prepared specimen and control to appropriate grid, run instrumentation, and produce analyzable results.
physical manipulation — Physical operation of sample analysis instruments
Operate laboratory equipment to analyze medical samples.
#20571 · Core · 25% automatable
Evaluate appropriateness of received specimens for requested tests.
physical manipulation — Specimen testing needs lab equipment operation
Test biological specimens to gather information about patient conditions.
#17376 · Core · 68% automatable
Summarize test results and report to appropriate authorities.
text generation — Health records drafted; clinician verifies and signs
Prepare official health documents or records. Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.
#17389 · Core · 35% automatable
Count numbers of chromosomes and identify the structural abnormalities by viewing culture slides through microscopes, light microscopes, or photomicroscopes.
physical manipulation — Specimen analysis requires lab instruments and hands
Analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems.
#20566 · Core · 55% automatable
Describe chromosome, FISH and aCGH analysis results in International System of Cytogenetic Nomenclature (ISCN) language.
information retrieval — Relaying results is structured; interpretation stays human
Communicate test or assessment results to medical professionals.
#17392 · Core · 80% automatable
Input details of specimens into logs or computer systems.
data analysis — Patient data entry largely automatable with review
Enter patient or treatment data into computers.
#20567 · Core · 8% automatable
Extract, measure, dilute as appropriate, label, and prepare DNA for array analysis.
physical manipulation — Manual specimen preparation
Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
#20565 · Core · 35% automatable
Select appropriate culturing system or procedure based on specimen type and reason for referral.
decision support — Protocols need clinical accountability and context
Determine protocols for medical procedures.
#17377 · Core · 8% automatable
Select or prepare specimens and media for cell cultures using aseptic techniques, knowledge of medium components, or cell nutritional requirements.
physical manipulation — Manual specimen preparation
Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
#17378 · Core · 35% automatable
Select banding methods to permit identification of chromosome pairs.
decision support — Protocols need clinical accountability and context
Determine protocols for medical procedures.
#20570 · Core · 48% automatable
Develop, implement, and monitor quality control and quality assurance programs to ensure accurate and precise test performance and reports.
decision support — Procedure drafts aided; clinical safety accountability human
Monitor medical facility activities to ensure adherence to standards or regulations. Develop healthcare quality and safety procedures.
#17375 · Core · 8% automatable
Stain slides to make chromosomes visible for microscopy.
physical manipulation — Manual specimen preparation
Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
#17383 · Core · 25% automatable
Create chromosome images using computer imaging systems.
physical manipulation — Patient positioning and scanner operation hands-on
Create advanced digital images of patients using computer imaging systems.
#17384 · Core · 35% automatable
Determine optimal time sequences and methods for manual or robotic cell harvests.
decision support — Protocols need clinical accountability and context
Determine protocols for medical procedures.
#20573 · Core · 72% automatable
Archive case documentation and study materials as required by regulations and laws.
data analysis — Facility records need human verification and compliance
Maintain medical facility records.
#17381 · Core · 35% automatable
Select appropriate methods of preparation and storage of media to maintain potential of hydrogen (pH), sterility, or ability to support growth.
decision support — Protocols need clinical accountability and context
Determine protocols for medical procedures.
#17393 · Core · 8% automatable
Maintain laboratory equipment such as photomicroscopes, inverted microscopes, and standard darkroom equipment.
physical manipulation — Physical lab equipment maintenance
Maintain medical laboratory equipment.
#20572 · Core · 55% automatable
Communicate to responsible parties unacceptable specimens and suggest remediation for future submissions.
information retrieval — Relaying results is structured; interpretation stays human
Communicate test or assessment results to medical professionals.
#17379 · Core · 35% automatable
Identify appropriate methods of specimen collection, preservation, or transport.
decision support — Protocols need clinical accountability and context
Determine protocols for medical procedures.
#17394 · Core · 30% automatable
Supervise subordinate laboratory staff.
interpersonal — Supervising clinicians requires accountability and live judgment
Supervise technical medical personnel.
#17374 · Core · 53% automatable
Develop and implement training programs for trainees, medical students, resident physicians or post-doctoral fellows.
text generation — Draft healthcare training; clinician reviews accuracy
Prepare healthcare training materials. Train medical providers.
#17386 · Supplemental · 40% automatable
Recognize and report abnormalities in the color, size, shape, composition, or pattern of cells.
interpersonal — Clinical handoff carries accountability and nuance
Analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems. Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
#17387 · Supplemental · 49% automatable
Communicate test results or technical information to patients, physicians, family members, or researchers.
information retrieval — Relaying results is structured; interpretation stays human
Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members. Communicate test or assessment results to medical professionals.
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How this was scored
- 1. Tasks. O*NET task statements for this occupation, from a release whose newest record is dated 08/2026.
- 2. Work activities. Each task maps to 1–5 Detailed Work Activities; each activity belongs to one of 41 Generalized Work Activities that O*NET rates for importance (1–5) in this occupation.
- 3. Automation potential. Every work activity carries one score for how far current AI can perform it end-to-end. Tasks inherit the mean of their activities.
- 4. Weighting. Task weight = 0.35 + 0.65 × (importance − 1)/4, scaled by how often the task is performed and by 0.7 for Supplemental tasks. Importance is the task's own O*NET rating where it exists (18,369 of 18,838 tasks); the rest inherit their work activities' importance. The index is the weighted mean.
Check: across the 910 occupations where O*NET also rates how far machine speed sets the pace, this index moves opposite to it (Spearman ρ = -0.49). The more a job is paced by equipment, the less of its task content AI can address — the relationship you would expect if the scoring is working.
Sources · O*NET 31.0 (task records to 08/2026) · BLS OEWS May 2025 · BLS projections 2025-2035 · rubric v2.1 · tasks for O*NET, not a forecast
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