Shigoto Zukan
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Will AI replace veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers?AI replacement risk 20% and how the work is changing

United States Caregiving Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$38,150
25th–75th pct. $35,660–$45,710
Top pay (est.)
$63,900
Top 10% $49,150
Pay in 5 years
$45,300est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$53,700est.
$46,200–$62,400
Outlook score
66/100
★★★☆☆ Good
AI replacement risk
20%
Very low
Job growth (10 yr)
+9.1%
23K openings / yr

Will AI replace Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers? AI replacement risk

20%
Very low
Ranked #123 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 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

Key skills

Active Listening
3.2
Writing
3.2
Critical Thinking
3.1
Monitoring
3.1
Reading Comprehension
3.1
Service Orientation
3.1
Social Perceptiveness
3.0
Coordination
3.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service
4.6
Administrative
4.1
Computers and Electronics
4.0
English Language
3.8
Medicine and Dentistry
3.8
Biology
3.6
Mathematics
3.1
Chemistry
2.8

What the work involves

Assisting and Caring for OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsHandling and Moving ObjectsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicUpdating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Important abilities

Oral ComprehensionProblem SensitivityNear VisionFar VisionSpeech ClarityTrunk Strength

Education of workers

High school diploma
78%
Post-secondary certificate
11%
Less than high school
6%
Some college
4%

Training before entry

1–3 months
22%
6–12 months
21%
3–6 months
14%
Up to 1 month
8%

Related work experience

None
35%
6–12 months
25%
Up to 1 month
13%
4–6 years
10%
2–4 years
9%
3–6 months
6%
1–2 years
3%

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

Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (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.