Side-by-Side Comparison
Nurse Anesthetists leads 4–1| Metric | Nurse Anesthetists | Optometrists |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Score | 20.7% | 21.5% |
| Risk Tier | Low Risk | Low Risk |
| Risk Percentile | 8th | 10th |
| Tasks at Risk (>50%) | 2 / 15 | 1 / 10 |
| Median Salary | $223,210 | $134,830 |
| Employment | 50K | 42K |
Skill Comparison
|
Sorted by largest difference
Assisting and Caring for Others
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Controlling Machines and Processes
Training and Teaching Others
Physics
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
Handling and Moving Objects
Chemistry
Thinking Creatively
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Education and Training
Protective Factors
Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement
Nurse Anesthetists
39%
total discount
Optometrists
35%
total discount
Task Risk Comparison
Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable
Nurse Anesthetists
2 of 15 at risk55%Perform or evaluate the results of diagnostic tests, such as radiographs (x-rays) and electrocardiograms (EKGs).
53%Assess patients' medical histories to predict anesthesia response.
49%Monitor patients' responses, including skin color, pupil dilation, pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, ventilation, or urine output, using invasive and noninvasive techniques.
47%Develop anesthesia care plans.
47%Evaluate patients' post-surgical or post-anesthesia responses, taking appropriate corrective actions or requesting consultation if complications occur.
Optometrists
1 of 10 at risk53%Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
39%Examine eyes, using observation, instruments and pharmaceutical agents, to determine visual acuity and perception, focus and coordination and to diagnose diseases and other abnormalities such as glaucoma or color blindness.
39%Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
39%Prescribe therapeutic procedures to correct or conserve vision.
39%Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements and safety factors.
Wage Comparison
Optometrists earns -$88,380(-40%) vs Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse AnesthetistsOptometrists
10th
$137,230$70,060
25th
$187,110$103,310
Median
$223,210$134,830
75th
$239,200$163,710
90th
$239,200$203,210
Premium Head-to-Head Analysis
Displacement Timeline Comparison
Nurse Anesthetists2028–2035
Optometrists2028–2035
20242030203520402045
Nurse Anesthetists has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Optometrists.
Risk-Adjusted Salary
Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)
Nurse Anesthetists
$177,117
from $223,210
Optometrists
$105,909
from $134,830
After adjusting for AI risk, Nurse Anesthetists offers $71,208 more in risk-adjusted pay.
Transition Feasibility
1%
Skill Overlap
Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition
0
Unique to Nurse
0
Unique to Optometrists
Combined Protection Strategy
Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors
Creativity
Decision Complexity
Social Intelligence
Fine Manipulation
Nurse AnesthetistsOptometrists