Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Machines can already do 27% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 53%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 27% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 6% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 53% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 18,120 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $76,780 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 70% for contact with people.
- Also called: Aquatic Biologist, Conservation Biologist, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations | 15% | 3% to 30% | |
| 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 | 15% | 70% to 95% | |
| Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry | 12% | 3% to 30% | |
| 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 | 11% | 35% to 58% | |
| Perform administrative duties, such as fundraising, public relations, budgeting, and supervision of zoo staff | 10% | 14% to 33% | |
| Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, and distribution | 9% | 3% to 30% | |
| Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife | 7% | 30% to 54% | |
| Organize and conduct experimental studies with live animals in controlled or natural surroundings | 4% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills zoologists and wildlife biologists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary51% of tasks by 2035 · US median $84,620
- Orthoptists40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $115,210
- Preventive Medicine Physicians52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $265,930
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians39% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,380
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Machines can do 27% of the tasks of zoologists and wildlife biologists today and 53% 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 19-1023.00 (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). Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/zoologists-and-wildlife-biologists/