Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine post-operative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists.
AI Impact Summary
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 25/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 20% of all analyzed occupations. Of 28 analyzed tasks, 5 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
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AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path
by Pluralsight
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Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
by Case Western Reserve University
Estimated Impact
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
28 tasks analyzed
Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
Fill medication prescriptions.
Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.
Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.
Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments or equipment.
Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.
Educate or advise clients on animal health care, nutrition, or behavior problems.
Administer medication, immunizations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
Collect laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, for testing.
Prepare surgical equipment and pass instruments or materials to veterinarians during surgical procedures.
Prepare feed for animals according to specific instructions, such as diet lists or schedules.
Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.
Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays.
Exercise animals or provide them with companionship.
Prepare examination or treatment rooms by stocking them with appropriate supplies.
Perform enemas, catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
Provide assistance with euthanasia of animals or disposal of corpses.
Record information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, or breeding.
Perform office reception duties, such as scheduling appointments or helping customers.
Perform hygiene-related duties, such as clipping animals' claws or cleaning and polishing teeth.
Perform accounting duties, such as bookkeeping, billing customers for services, or maintaining inventories.
Write reports, maintain research information, or perform clerical duties.
Sell pet food or supplies to customers.
Dust, spray, or bathe animals to control insect pests.
Groom, trim, or clip animals' coats.
Place orders to restock inventory of hospital or laboratory supplies.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 8% | |
| Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 8% | |
| Fill medication prescriptions. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 3% | |
| Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals. | 30Estimated | 39.0% | 4% | |
| Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 6% | |
| Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments or equipment. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Educate or advise clients on animal health care, nutrition, or behavior problems. | 60.58Observed | 39.2% | 4% | |
| Administer medication, immunizations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 5% | |
| Collect laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, for testing. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 4% | |
| Prepare surgical equipment and pass instruments or materials to veterinarians during surgical procedures. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Prepare feed for animals according to specific instructions, such as diet lists or schedules. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 4% | |
| Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% | |
| Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 4% | |
| Exercise animals or provide them with companionship. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 3% | |
| Prepare examination or treatment rooms by stocking them with appropriate supplies. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Perform enemas, catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% | |
| Provide assistance with euthanasia of animals or disposal of corpses. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% | |
| Record information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, or breeding. | 62.5Observed | 74.2% | 3% | |
| Perform office reception duties, such as scheduling appointments or helping customers. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 3% | |
| Perform hygiene-related duties, such as clipping animals' claws or cleaning and polishing teeth. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 3% | |
| Perform accounting duties, such as bookkeeping, billing customers for services, or maintaining inventories. | 53.75Observed | 70.7% | 2% | |
| Write reports, maintain research information, or perform clerical duties. | 41.1Observed | 65.6% | 2% | |
| Sell pet food or supplies to customers. | 50Estimated | 35.0% | 2% | |
| Dust, spray, or bathe animals to control insect pests. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% | |
| Groom, trim, or clip animals' coats. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% | |
| Place orders to restock inventory of hospital or laboratory supplies. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 28.6%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$37,320
per year
Mean Wage
$38,990
per year
Employment
114K
workers
Wage Range
$29,160 - $48,150
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Service Orientation
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change