Animal Trainers
Machines can already do 10% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 40%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Animal Trainers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 10% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2038, and 40% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 18,770 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $39,990 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 76% for contact with people.
- Also called: Agility Instructor, Dog Obedience Instructor, Dog Trainer, Guide Dog Instructor.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes | 31% | 3% to 30% | |
| Feed or exercise animals or provide other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas | 20% | 20% to 60% | |
| Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Train horses or other equines for riding, harness, show, racing, or other work, using knowledge of breed characteristics, training methods, performance standards, and the peculiarities of each animal | 7% | 3% to 30% | |
| Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior | 6% | 70% to 95% | |
| Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training | 4% | 3% to 30% | |
| Cue or signal animals during performances | 3% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills animal trainers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Athletic Trainers39% of tasks by 2035 · US median $62,520
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Animal Trainers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2038. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of animal trainers?
Machines can do 10% of the tasks of animal trainers today and 40% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 39-2011.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Animal Trainers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/animal-trainers/