Skills it runs on
The capabilities O*NET rates most important for this occupation — the human ground the work is built on.
See all skills →Radiologists
Occupation · SOC 29-1224.00
Diagnose and treat diseases and injuries using medical imaging techniques, such as x rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and ultrasounds. May perform minimally invasive medical procedures and tests.
Also called: Diagnostic Radiologist · Nuclear Medicine Physician · Physician · Radiologist · Attending Physician · Interventional Neuroradiologist · Interventional Radiologist · Musculoskeletal Specialty Radiologist (MSK Specialty Radiologist) · Neuroradiologist · Nuclear Medicine Specialist · Attending Radiologist · Breast Imaging Radiologist
Job family: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
Take this to your AI
A source-stamped Markdown brief of this occupation — paste it into an agent, or fetch
/roles/role-29-1224-00/context.md directly.
AI work map
A fast read on where AI already shows up in this occupation, where it stays a copilot, where humans remain in the loop, and what the labor market is doing. Built from observed Claude.ai conversations mapped to O*NET tasks and from published research — measures of usage and exposure, not advice or predictions that the job is going away.
Market signal
Independent published positions, read together — not a forecast.
- About average employment outlook (+2.7% by 2034)
- 800 openings/yr
- Moderate AI exposure
68th-percentile task overlap — yet about 800 openings a year (+2.7% projected, BLS) . What exposure means →
AI & job outlook
What today's research says about this occupation's exposure to AI, how AI is actually being used in it, and where employment is headed. These are positions within published studies — measures of exposure and usage, not predictions that this job will disappear.
Exposure to current AI
Each study uses its own scale, so the raw scores are not comparable across rows — the percentile (this job's rank among all U.S. occupations with data) is the comparable figure, and sizes the bars.
| Measure | Rank vs all occupations | Percentile | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) High | 90th | 1.0 | |
| AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) Moderate | 47th | 0.1 |
OpenAI's exposure study scores tasks three ways: with a language model alone (α 0.0), with simple added tooling (β 0.5), and including AI-powered software (γ 1.0). Higher means more of the job's tasks could be done at least twice as fast — not that they will be automated away.
How AI is actually used in this job
Among measured AI assistant conversations mapped to this occupation (Anthropic Economic Index, 2026-01-15), these task types came up most. These are shares of observed AI conversations — not shares of the job, of worker time, or of what could be automated.
| Prepare comprehensive interpretive reports of findings. | 6.5% | |
| Communicate examination results or diagnostic information to referring physicians, patients, or families. | 2.4% | |
| Document the performance, interpretation, or outcomes of all procedures performed. | 0.6% | |
| Review or transmit images and information using picture archiving or communications systems. | 0.4% | |
| Obtain patients' histories from electronic records, patient interviews, dictated reports, or by communicating with referring clinicians. | 0.3% | |
| Confer with medical professionals regarding image-based diagnoses. | 0.3% |
Job outlook
Independent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projection for 2024–2034 — a labor-market forecast, not an AI-impact forecast.
| Outlook | About average · +2.7% by 2034 |
| Projected annual openings | 800 |
| Employment 2024 → 2034 | 28,200 → 29,000 |
“Annual openings” counts new jobs plus replacements for workers who leave the occupation, so it can be large even when growth is modest.
Tasks
All 30 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, ordered by importance. Each links to its own page with AI-exposure and observed-use detail.
- Prepare comprehensive interpretive reports of findings. Core · importance 5.0
- Perform or interpret the outcomes of diagnostic imaging procedures including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), nuclear cardiology treadmill studies, mammography, or ultrasound. Core · importance 4.9
- Document the performance, interpretation, or outcomes of all procedures performed. Core · importance 4.9
- Communicate examination results or diagnostic information to referring physicians, patients, or families. Core · importance 4.8
- Obtain patients' histories from electronic records, patient interviews, dictated reports, or by communicating with referring clinicians. Core · importance 4.8
- Review or transmit images and information using picture archiving or communications systems. Core · importance 4.8
- Confer with medical professionals regarding image-based diagnoses. Core · importance 4.8
- Recognize or treat complications during and after procedures, including blood pressure problems, pain, oversedation, or bleeding. Core · importance 4.8
- Perform interventional procedures such as image-guided biopsy, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, transhepatic biliary drainage, or nephrostomy catheter placement. Supplemental · importance 4.7
- Develop or monitor procedures to ensure adequate quality control of images. Core · importance 4.6
- Provide counseling to radiologic patients to explain the processes, risks, benefits, or alternative treatments. Core · importance 4.5
- Establish or enforce standards for protection of patients or personnel. Core · importance 4.5
- Coordinate radiological services with other medical activities. Core · importance 4.4
- Instruct radiologic staff in desired techniques, positions, or projections. Core · importance 4.4
- Develop treatment plans for radiology patients. Supplemental · importance 4.3
- Participate in continuing education activities to maintain and develop expertise. Core · importance 4.3
- Participate in quality improvement activities including discussions of areas where risk of error is high. Core · importance 4.1
- Administer radioisotopes to clinical patients or research subjects.
- Advise other physicians of the clinical indications, limitations, assessments, or risks of diagnostic and therapeutic applications of radioactive materials.
- Calculate, measure, or prepare radioisotope dosages.
- Check and approve the quality of diagnostic images before patients are discharged.
- Compare nuclear medicine procedures with other types of procedures, such as computed tomography, ultrasonography, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography.
- Direct nuclear medicine technologists or technicians regarding desired dosages, techniques, positions, and projections.
- Establish and enforce radiation protection standards for patients and staff.
- Formulate plans and procedures for nuclear medicine departments.
- Monitor handling of radioactive materials to ensure that established procedures are followed.
- Prescribe radionuclides and dosages to be administered to individual patients.
- Review procedure requests and patients' medical histories to determine applicability of procedures and radioisotopes to be used.
- Teach nuclear medicine, diagnostic radiology, or other specialties at graduate educational level.
- Test dosage evaluation instruments and survey meters to ensure they are operating properly.
Work activities
- Develop healthcare quality and safety procedures.
- Maintain medical or professional knowledge.
- Develop medical treatment plans.
- Verify that medical activities or operations meet standards.
- Determine protocols for medical procedures.
- Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
- Send information, materials or documentation.
- Monitor patients following surgeries or other treatments.
- Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.
- Gather medical information from patient histories.
- Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
- Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
- Train medical providers.
- Record patient medical histories.
- Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
- Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
- Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.
- Communicate test or assessment results to medical professionals.
- Operate on patients to treat conditions.
- Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
- Administer medical substances for imaging or other procedures.
- Advise medical personnel regarding healthcare issues.
- Calculate numerical data for medical activities.
- Prepare medications or medical solutions.
- Check quality of diagnostic images.
- Evaluate treatment options to guide medical decisions.
- Supervise patient care personnel.
- Manage healthcare operations.
- Monitor the handling of hazardous materials or medical wastes.
- Prescribe medications.
- Verify accuracy of patient information.
- Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation.
Knowledge, skills & abilities
O*NET importance rating, from 1 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).
Knowledge
| Medicine and Dentistry | 4.7 | |
| Biology | 4.5 | |
| English Language | 4.3 | |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.9 | |
| Education and Training | 3.7 | |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.6 | |
| Physics | 3.3 |
Abilities
| Problem Sensitivity | 4.5 | |
| Inductive Reasoning | 4.5 | |
| Oral Comprehension | 4.4 | |
| Written Comprehension | 4.4 | |
| Oral Expression | 4.4 | |
| Deductive Reasoning | 4.4 | |
| Written Expression | 4.1 | |
| Near Vision | 4.0 | |
| Flexibility of Closure | 3.9 | |
| Information Ordering | 3.8 | |
| Category Flexibility | 3.8 | |
| Speech Clarity | 3.8 | |
| Speech Recognition | 3.6 | |
| Perceptual Speed | 3.5 | |
| Visualization | 3.3 | |
| Far Vision | 3.3 | |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 3.3 |
Essential skills
| Reading Comprehension | 4.3 | |
| Active Listening | 4.3 | |
| Speaking | 4.3 | |
| Writing | 4.1 | |
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 | |
| Monitoring | 4.0 | |
| Active Learning | 3.9 | |
| Science | 3.8 | |
| Learning Strategies | 3.3 |
Transferable skills
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.1 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.6 | |
| Time Management | 3.5 | |
| Instructing | 3.4 | |
| Coordination | 3.3 |
Skills in demand
Skills employers ask for in job postings for this occupation (Lightcast), with whether each is a common or specialized skill.
Tools & technology
Showing the top 40 of 56.
Work context
How characteristic each condition is of the job, on O*NET's 1–5 context scale (higher = more present in day-to-day work). Each condition links to how it varies across all occupations.
How to get in
- Job zone
- Zone 5 — Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Typical entry-level education
- Doctoral or professional degree · BLS, the typical path — not a requirement
- Related experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Preparation level
- SVP (8.0 and above) — total schooling plus on-the-job experience.
What to study: Health Professions and Related Programs , Medical Residency/Fellowship Programs . Fields of study crosswalked to this occupation (NCES CIP–SOC), not a requirement.
Education of current workers
Share of people in this occupation at each level of education.
| Post-Doctoral Training | 57.9% | |
| Doctoral Degree | 28.0% | |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 11.1% | |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 3.0% |
Interests & work styles
The interests and personal qualities O*NET associates with people who do this work.
Work styles
| Dependability | 8.0 | |
| Attention to Detail | 7.0 | |
| Integrity | 6.0 | |
| Cautiousness | 5.0 | |
| Intellectual Curiosity | 4.0 | |
| Cooperation | 3.0 |
Career interests (Holland / RIASEC)
| Investigative | 6.6 | |
| Realistic | 4.9 | |
| Conventional | 4.5 | |
| Social | 3.9 |
Interest areas
| Health Care Service | 6.5 | |
| Medical Science | 5.9 | |
| Physical Science | 4.3 | |
| Life Science | 4.0 | |
| Information Technology | 3.5 | |
| Mathematics/Statistics | 3.4 |
Wages & employment
U.S. · annual wages (BLS OEWS)
| 10th percentile | $82,810 |
| 25th percentile | $204,330 |
| Median (50th) | — |
| 75th percentile | — |
| 90th percentile | — |
| People employed | 26,290 |
Industries that employ this occupation
Where these workers are employed, by number of jobs (national, BLS OEWS). Pay shown is the occupation's national median, not industry-specific.
| Industry | Workers | National median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance · Sector | 24,870 | — |
| Educational Services · Sector | 610 | $106,260 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services · Sector | 410 | $161,850 |
| Temporary Help Services · National industry | 380 | — |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services · Sector | 210 | $135,970 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises · Sector | 80 | — |
| Veterinary Services · National industry | 70 | $89,750 |
Where this work is most concentrated
Industries where this occupation is far more common than in the economy as a whole. The location quotient is how many times more concentrated it is here (a value of 5 means five times its economy-wide share).
| Industry | Concentration | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance · Sector | 6.31× | 24,870 |
| Temporary Help Services · National industry | 0.84× | 380 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services · Sector | 0.27× | 410 |
| Educational Services · Sector | 0.26× | 610 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services · Sector | 0.11× | 210 |
Related occupations
Part of the Healthcare & Human Services career cluster.
- Cardiologists · 29-1212.00 Compare →
- Pediatric Surgeons · 29-1243.00 Compare →
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric · 29-1242.00 Compare →
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians · 29-2034.00 Compare →
- Physicians, Pathologists · 29-1222.00 Compare →
- Radiation Therapists · 29-1124.00 Compare →
- General Internal Medicine Physicians · 29-1216.00 Compare →
- Emergency Medicine Physicians · 29-1214.00 Compare →
- Urologists · 29-1229.03 Compare →
- Neurologists · 29-1217.00 Compare →
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians · 29-2031.00 Compare →
- Anesthesiologists · 29-1211.00 Compare →
Side-by-side comparisons place two occupations’ pay, preparation, skills, and AI exposure on the same page — same data, same scale, no forecast.
What you can do with this
Options the data surfaces for Radiologists — not advice or a forecast. Each is a real cross-link you can follow into the evidence.
Skills that travel
Capabilities this work builds that are used across many other occupations.
Adjacent roles
Occupations O*NET rates as related — the nearby moves on the map.
Paths in
How people typically prepare for this work.
- Doctoral or professional degree · typical entry level
- Job zone 5 — Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed · preparation tier
- Health Professions and Related Programs · field of study
- Medical Residency/Fellowship Programs · field of study
Zoom out
See where this work sits in the bigger picture.
Write a report on thisheadline · factoids · citation
Radiologists show 68th-percentile AI task overlap — and about 800 annual U.S. openings
- Radiologists rank in the 68th percentile (High band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated.Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE
- The occupation is projected to see about 800 U.S. job openings per year (2024–34), counting growth and replacement — a labor-demand projection made independently of AI.BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
- BLS projects employment to be about average (+2.7%) from 2024 to 2034.BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
Copy the whole kit
Radiologists show 68th-percentile AI task overlap — and about 800 annual U.S. openings • Radiologists rank in the 68th percentile (High band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated. (Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE) • The occupation is projected to see about 800 U.S. job openings per year (2024–34), counting growth and replacement — a labor-demand projection made independently of AI. (BLS Employment Projections 2024–34) • BLS projects employment to be about average (+2.7%) from 2024 to 2034. (BLS Employment Projections 2024–34) Source: Singulariki — "Radiologists". https://singulariki.com/roles/role-29-1224-00 Note: AI task overlap measures what today's AI can attempt, not automation, job loss, or a forecast.
AssetsShare imageMethodology & sourcesPress & newsroomThe newsroom
Every line is built only from figures this page already shows and cites. AI task overlap means what today's AI can attempt — not automation, job loss, or a forecast.
Sources for this page
Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.
- O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27) Anthropic
- Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai Microsoft Research
- “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic
Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.
Cite this page
Plain
Singulariki. "Radiologists." Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Built from O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://singulariki.com/roles/role-29-1224-00
APA
Singulariki. (2026). Radiologists. Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://singulariki.com/roles/role-29-1224-00
BibTeX
@misc{singulariki-role-29-1224-00,
title = {Radiologists},
author = {{Singulariki}},
year = {2026},
note = {O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026},
url = {https://singulariki.com/roles/role-29-1224-00}
} Citations name the underlying public dataset releases — they reflect what this page is built from, not just the URL.