Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.
AI Impact Summary
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 29/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 31% of all analyzed occupations. Of 16 analyzed tasks, 1 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 Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
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.
Complex Problem Solving 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.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion 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 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 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
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
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Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
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
16 tasks analyzed
Make recommendations on management systems and planning for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs.
Check for, and ensure compliance with, environmental laws, and notify law enforcement when violations are identified.
Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
Organize and conduct experimental studies with live animals in controlled or natural surroundings.
Analyze characteristics of animals to identify and classify them.
Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.
Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories and diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.
Coordinate preventive programs to control the outbreak of wildlife diseases.
Prepare collections of preserved specimens or microscopic slides for species identification and study of development or disease.
Raise specimens for study and observation or for use in experiments.
Collect and dissect animal specimens and examine specimens under microscope.
Perform administrative duties, such as fundraising, public relations, budgeting, and supervision of zoo staff.
Develop or make recommendations on management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
Conduct literature reviews.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Make recommendations on management systems and planning for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 8% | |
| Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 10% | |
| Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs. | 35Estimated | 29.0% | 8% | |
| Check for, and ensure compliance with, environmental laws, and notify law enforcement when violations are identified. | 70Estimated | 77.2% | 5% | |
| Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 10% | |
| Organize and conduct experimental studies with live animals in controlled or natural surroundings. | 25Estimated | 37.0% | 8% | |
| Analyze characteristics of animals to identify and classify them. | 52.33Observed | 47.9% | 5% | |
| Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife. | 53.95Observed | 36.6% | 6% | |
| Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories and diseases, development, genetics, and distribution. | 66.15Observed | 53.5% | 8% | |
| Coordinate preventive programs to control the outbreak of wildlife diseases. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 5% | |
| Prepare collections of preserved specimens or microscopic slides for species identification and study of development or disease. | 64Observed | 58.6% | 4% | |
| Raise specimens for study and observation or for use in experiments. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 4% | |
| Collect and dissect animal specimens and examine specimens under microscope. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 5% | |
| Perform administrative duties, such as fundraising, public relations, budgeting, and supervision of zoo staff. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 4% | |
| Develop or make recommendations on management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 5% | |
| Conduct literature reviews. | 80Estimated | 59.0% | 5% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 32.4%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$72,860
per year
Mean Wage
$77,920
per year
Employment
17K
workers
Wage Range
$48,240 - $113,350
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
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Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsRange Managers
25%Median salary: $67,950
Higher risk than 18% of other occupations
Natural Sciences Managers
27%Median salary: $161,180
Higher risk than 26% of other occupations
Soil and Plant Scientists
27%Median salary: $71,410
Higher risk than 26% of other occupations
Animal Scientists
30%Median salary: $79,120
Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Biologists
30%Median salary: $93,340
Higher risk than 39% of other occupations
Geneticists
30%Median salary: $93,330
Higher risk than 41% of other occupations
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
32%Median salary: $86,350
Higher risk than 48% of other occupations
Soil and Water Conservationists
32%Median salary: $67,950
Higher risk than 50% of other occupations
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
32%Median salary: $80,060
Higher risk than 51% of other occupations
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
40%Median salary: $78,420
Higher risk than 79% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- 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.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness 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.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking 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.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis 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