Headline risk
1%
Very Low RiskAnimal caretakers
United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
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.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 0% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 33,470
Employment 2024
392.1K
Projected Change (2024–34)
12.1%
Openings (2024–34)
74.6K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Overall employment of animal care and service workers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury. AI use: 0%
- 2. Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions. AI use: 0%
- 3. Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles. AI use: 0%
- 4. Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities. AI use: 0%
- 5. Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment. AI use: 0%
- 6. Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 31.9 · 364K employed
Under 25: 28% · 25–54: 57% · 55+: 15%
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Mapping quality
crosswalk_exact · employment series present
Narrative & sources
Animal care and service workers attend to or train animals.
Animal care and service workers are employed in a variety of settings, including kennels, zoos, stables, animal shelters, pet stores, veterinary clinics, and aquariums. Some parts of the job may be physically or emotionally demanding, and workers risk injury when caring for animals.
Animal care and service workers typically have a high school diploma or equivalent and learn the occupation on the job. Many employers prefer to hire candidates who have experience working with animals.
The median annual wage for animal caretakers was $33,470 in May 2024.
Overall employment of animal care and service workers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Published limitations
This page shows the local country layer, not realised individual job outcomes. The global structural baseline is shared across countries; only the local demand and wage layer changes here.
Built from O*NET occupation descriptions, task statements, technology skills, work context, Job Zones, Anthropic task penetration, BLS OEWS wages, BLS projection tables, BLS ORS requirements, BLS OOH narrative content, BLS skills data, and BLS CPS occupation age tables.