Shigoto Zukan
日本語

Will AI replace animal trainers?AI replacement risk 13% and how the work is changing

United States Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$39,990
25th–75th pct. $33,740–$53,580
Top pay (est.)
$98,100
Top 10% $75,490
Pay in 5 years
$47,000est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$55,300est.
$47,500–$64,200
Outlook score
65/100
★★★☆☆ Good
AI replacement risk
13%
Very low
Job growth (10 yr)
+4.2%
6,500 openings / yr

Will AI replace Animal Trainers? AI replacement risk

13%
Very low
Ranked #58 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Animal Trainers

Key skills

Learning Strategies
3.9
Monitoring
3.5
Critical Thinking
3.4
Active Learning
3.1
Instructing
3.1
Reading Comprehension
3.1
Coordination
3.0
Social Perceptiveness
3.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Education and Training
4.3
Customer and Personal Service
4.2
Psychology
3.7
Administrative
3.4
English Language
3.0
Administration and Management
2.9
Sales and Marketing
2.8
Computers and Electronics
2.5

What the work involves

Performing General Physical ActivitiesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsHandling and Moving ObjectsThinking CreativelyCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicTraining and Teaching Others

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionProblem SensitivityOral ComprehensionDeductive ReasoningOriginalityInductive Reasoning

Education of workers

High school diploma
44%
Less than high school
23%
Some college
17%
Post-secondary certificate
8%
Associate's degree
7%
Bachelor's degree
2%

Training before entry

1–3 months
25%
1–2 years
20%
6–12 months
14%
Up to 1 month
13%
None / short demo
8%
2–4 years
8%
3–6 months
4%
4–10 years
4%
Over 10 years
3%

Related work experience

2–4 years
31%
None
16%
6–12 months
15%
1–2 years
10%
3–6 months
9%
Over 10 years
7%
4–6 years
6%
1–3 months
5%
6–8 years
2%

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.