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Polygraph examiner

Also called polygraphist, signals analyst, polygraph operator

Polygraph examiners prepare individuals for polygraph testing, conduct the polygraph exam and interpret the results. They pay close attention to detail and use a range of instruments to monitor respiratory, sweat and cardiovascular responses to questions addressed during the process. Polygraph examiners write reports on the basis of the results and can provide courtroom testimony.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 10 countries now. 33 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Legal, social and cultural professionalsWhat does it pay?Above averageFrom about €1,800 (Bulgaria) to €8,800 (Luxembourg) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Legal, social and cultural professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree9 in 10 have a degree.Legal, social and cultural professionalsWill AI change it?In some tasksLevel 3 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Psychologists · ILO

What you'd do

Psychologists · ILO
  • Planning and carrying out tests to measure mental, physical and other characteristics such as intelligence, abilities, aptitudes, potentialities, etc., interpreting and evaluating results, and providing advice
  • Analysing the effect of heredity, social, occupational and other factors on individual thought and behaviour
  • Conducting counselling or therapeutic interviews with individuals and groups, and providing follow-up services
  • Maintaining required contacts, such as those with family members, educational authorities or employers, and recommending possible solutions to, and treatment of, problems
  • Studying psychological factors in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illnesses and emotional or personality disorders, and conferring with related professionals
  • Preparing scholarly papers and reports
  • Formulating achievement, diagnostic and predictive tests for use by teachers in planning methods and content of instruction
  • Conducting surveys and research studies on job design, work groups, morale, motivation, supervision and management
  • Developing theories, models and methods to interpret and describe human behaviour
Observe human behaviourAnalyse legal evidenceDocument interviewsReport analysis resultsConduct research interview+ 7 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors and outdoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the related, broader US job "Coroners"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

10 EU countries are short of psychologists now, and a typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as legal, social and cultural professionals in the EU
5.41m6.54m7.02m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
354,000 new jobs 1,872,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Legal, social and cultural professionals33
All jobs29
Right now
10 of 27 countries report a shortage of psychologists, 5 a surplus.
Psychologists · EURES

What does it pay?

Above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,800 a month (Bulgaria) to €8,800 (Luxembourg), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in psychology is the usual route.

Highest qualification of legal, social and cultural professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 87%Vocational 6%General secondary 5%Basic schooling 2%
Fields that teach it
Psychology · Medicine
Vocational route, EU
1 in 10 trainees in this field
Social science graduates in a matching job
59% in the EU

927 institutions in the EU offer social science bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

In some tasks

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.39 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 9 tasks
Conducting surveys and research studies on job design, work groups, morale, motivation, supervision and management0.68
Preparing scholarly papers and reports0.54
Developing theories, models and methods to interpret and describe human behaviour0.37
Formulating achievement, diagnostic and predictive tests for use by teachers in planning methods and content of instruction0.36
Analysing the effect of heredity, social, occupational and other factors on individual thought and behaviour0.36
Planning and carrying out tests to measure mental, physical and other characteristics such as intelligence, abilities, aptitudes, potentialities, etc., interpreting and evaluating results, and providing advice0.35
Studying psychological factors in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illnesses and emotional or personality disorders, and conferring with related professionals0.30
Conducting counselling or therapeutic interviews with individuals and groups, and providing follow-up services0.28
Maintaining required contacts, such as those with family members, educational authorities or employers, and recommending possible solutions to, and treatment of, problems0.26

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for psychologists. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).