AI, Staffing Pressures, and a Shifting Workforce: Inside ASCP’s 2024 Vacancy Survey

For almost 40 years, the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) has used its annual vacancy survey to assess the scope and distribution of workforce shortages in medical laboratories across the United States. The 2024 survey painted a somewhat familiar picture: stubborn staffing shortages, long hiring timelines, and a supply of new professionals that still falls short of demand. But this year’s survey also covered new ground. For the first time, it asked laboratories how artificial intelligence (AI) tools are showing up in their workplaces and what that might mean for staffing. 

AI can complement, not replace laboratory professionals 
ASCP Senior Director of Scientific Engagement and Research, Edna Garcia, MPH, says it was important for ASCP to get a read on the emergence of AI in laboratories currently. “We thought it was especially important to look into the current implementation of AI, plans for implementing AI, challenges implementing AI, attitudes towards AI,” says Ms. Garcia. “Finally, AI is relevant to the vacancy report because it affects staffing recruitment and retention.” 

Only 17.4% of respondents reported using AI in their laboratories, with most adoption clustered in LIS and QA/PI workflows and anatomic pathology. For labs that have explored AI, the most common hurdles were adaptation and training. Respondents cited limited IT resources, lengthy validation timelines, and resistance to change. Despite these challenges, very few labs viewed job loss as a major concern. 

In fact, most laboratories said they had not seen any staffing changes tied to AI. Among the those that had, the most common shifts involved training existing staff and hiring people with some familiarity with AI tools. Even then, nearly three-quarters said they did not expect AI adoption to change qualification requirements for future hires. 

 “There is this perception that AI is going to take away jobs from people,” Ms. Garcia says. “But we’ve been using AI even before the topic became prominent in other industries. I think there will be a greater need for lab professionals who understand AI. But that does not mean the need for laboratory professionals will decrease.” 

Vacancy rates and slow hiring persist 
Core workforce findings remained urgent in 2024. Vacancy rates appear lower than in 2022; Ms. Garcia warned against viewing this as an improvement. “During the pandemic, vacancy rates became higher because of early retirement and people leaving or changing careers. If you look at the vacancy rates from 2018, which is before the pandemic, you can see that the 2024 data is still higher.”  

The gap between supply and demand is clear. More than 24,000 positions are projected to open each year, yet training programs graduate only about 8,800 students, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 

Respondents noted hiring timelines lag. Many departments need three months to a year to fill staff positions, and even longer to fill supervisory roles. Respondents repeatedly pointed to salary limits, too few training programs, and weak retention pipelines as barriers.