Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Machines can already do 20% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 52%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 20% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 2% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2035, and 52% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 126,580 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $38,150 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 82% for contact with people.
- Also called: Animal Care Provider, Animal Caregiver, Avian Keeper, Certified Veterinary Assistant.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease | 15% | 20% to 60% | |
| Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures | 10% | 3% to 30% | |
| Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries | 7% | 3% to 30% | |
| Perform office reception duties, such as scheduling appointments or helping customers | 7% | 62% to 91% | |
| Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments or equipment | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms | 4% | 3% to 30% | |
| Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays | 4% | 20% to 60% | |
| Administer medication, immunizations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians | 4% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Anesthesiologist Assistants47% of tasks by 2035 · US median $135,880
- Home Health Aides50% of tasks by 2035
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers37% of tasks by 2035 · US median $96,590
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $74,310
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2035. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers?
Machines can do 20% of the tasks of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers today and 52% 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 31-9096.00 (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). Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/veterinary-assistants-and-laboratory-animal-caretakers/