39-2021.00

Animal Caretakers

Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks.

8.3OUT OF 10SAFEHIGH RISK
High Risk

The robots are coming for your paycheck

More at risk than 78% of occupations we track

Frey & Osborne (2013) estimated 82% probability of automation for this role
paper →
78%
of jobs safer
228
jobs riskier than this
+12.1%
projected growth

Disruption Vector

Disruption Type

Human-Centric

This occupation relies heavily on human judgment, empathy, creativity, or physical dexterity that remains beyond current AI capabilities.

AI animal behavior monitoring tools can track health and activity in shelter or boarding facility settings, but direct animal care, handling distressed or aggressive animals, administering treatments, and providing the social interaction animals need cannot be automated. This role is inherently physical and relational, requiring human empathy and hands-on skills with living animals. Through 2027 AI serves as a monitoring aid; animal caretaker employment is driven by animal shelter capacity, pet industry growth, and research facility funding rather than by automation risk.

Augmented byAI augmentation tools

Salary & Job Outlook

Median Annual Pay
$33,470
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
10-Year Job Growth
+12.1%
Much faster than average
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2 / 5

AI Risk Timeline

8.3
9.1
9.8
10.0
Today
5 Years
10 Years
20 Years

Projection model: Based on current AI capability growth rates. High-risk occupations are projected to see compounding automation pressure, while human-centric roles show slower risk accumulation. These are statistical projections, not guarantees.

Skills Analysis — AI Vulnerability

AI can replicate (0)
AI-resistant (1)
Mixed
Active Listening65%
Speaking60%
Coordination62%
Monitoring58%
Time Management55%

Career Pivot Paths

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Animal Caretakers

8.3
/ 10
High Risk
83% automation risk

"Let's just say your LinkedIn is about to get very busy."

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ANIMAL CARETAKERS
8.3

/ 10

HIGH RISK

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You're more at risk than a Aerospace Engineers (score: 1.6). Maybe it's time to rethink.

This analysis is for informational purposes only and is based on statistical models and academic research. It does not constitute career advice and is not a guarantee of future employment outcomes. AI impact varies significantly by employer, region, and individual circumstances. Learn about our methodology →