Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists vs Physical Therapist Assistants AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

medium risk

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

73 shared · 17 different

core competencies

low risk

Physical Therapist Assistants

Side-by-Side Comparison

Physical Therapist Assistants leads 4–1

Metric	Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists	Physical Therapist Assistants
Risk Score	34.5%	22.5%
Risk Tier	Medium Risk	Low Risk
Risk Percentile	64th	12th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	8 / 15	1 / 15
Median Salary	$88,180	$65,510
Employment	42K	108K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Interacting With Computers

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Controlling Machines and Processes

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Physics

Computers and Electronics

Performing Administrative Activities

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material

Operation and Control

Trunk Strength

Therapy and Counseling

Handling and Moving Objects

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

33%

total discount

Physical Therapist Assistants

34%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

8 of 15 at risk

89%Create backup copies of images by transferring images from disk to storage media or workstation.

84%Take brief medical histories from patients.

80%Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams.

78%Operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners.

78%Conduct screening interviews of patients to identify contraindications, such as ferrous objects, pregnancy, prosthetic heart valves, cardiac pacemakers, or tattoos.

Physical Therapist Assistants

1 of 15 at risk

86%Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.

43%Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.

43%Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.

42%Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.

39%Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.

Wage Comparison

Physical Therapist Assistants earns -$22,670(-26%) vs Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

Magnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsPhysical Therapist Assistants

10th

$64,910$46,020

25th

$78,150$58,240

Median

$88,180$65,510

75th

$102,440$77,270

90th

$121,420$87,630

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists2028–2035

Physical Therapist Assistants2028–2035

20242030203520402045

Physical Therapist Assistants has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

$57,776

from $88,180

Physical Therapist Assistants

$50,757

from $65,510

After adjusting for AI risk, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists offers $7,018 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Magnetic

Unique to Physical

Combined Protection Strategy

Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors

Regulatory Barriers

Fine Manipulation

Decision Complexity

Social Intelligence

Magnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsPhysical Therapist Assistants

Find transitions from Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Find transitions from Physical Therapist Assistants