Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

AUTOMATION RISK
CALCULATED
53%
risk level
POLLING
27%
Based on 47 votes
LABOR DEMAND
GROWTH
19.4%
by year 2032
WAGES
$34,740
or $16.70 per hour
Volume
111,880
as of 2022
SUMMARY
JOB SCORE
5.8/10

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Automation risk

53% (Moderate Risk)

Moderate Risk (41-60%): Occupations with a moderate risk of automation usually involve routine tasks but still require some human judgment and interaction.

More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.

Some very important qualities of the job are difficult to automate:

  • Assisting and Caring for Others

Some quite important qualities of the job are difficult to automate:

  • Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

  • Manual Dexterity

  • Finger Dexterity

  • Social Perceptiveness

User poll

27% chance of full automation within the next two decades

Our visitors have voted there's a low chance this occupation will be automated. However, the automation risk level we have generated suggests a higher chance of automation: 53% chance of automation.

What do you think the risk of automation is?

What is the likelihood that Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers will be replaced by robots or artificial intelligence within the next 20 years?






Growth

Very fast growth relative to other professions

The number of 'Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers' job openings is expected to rise 19.4% by 2032

Total employment, and estimated job openings

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period between 2021 and 2031
Updated projections are due 09-2023.

Wages

Very low paid relative to other professions

In 2022, the median annual wage for 'Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers' was $34,740, or $16 per hour

'Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers' were paid 25.0% lower than the national median wage, which stood at $46,310

Wages over time

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Volume

Greater range of job opportunities compared to other professions

As of 2022 there were 111,880 people employed as 'Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers' within the United States.

This represents around 0.08% of the employed workforce across the country

Put another way, around 1 in 1 thousand people are employed as 'Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers'.

Job description

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 postoperative 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.

SOC Code: 31-9096.00

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Comments

Anna (Low) says
I work as a laboratory technician and am involved in many procedures like injections, small surgeries, etc., that cannot be automated.
Jul 21, 2022 at 11:17 AM
Mona (No chance) says
Animals rely on things like scents to tell them about people. They wouldn't take to robots
Dec 04, 2020 at 04:43 PM
Jeffrey Hunt (Low) says
The number of companion animals is increasing steadily. Veterinary assistant requires a lot of physical handling of animals; feeding, feeling, etc. in addition to person-skills and communication skills in working with pet owners.
Aug 13, 2019 at 03:35 PM
Anon (Low) says
$5 bucks says my dog flips out when the angry metal thing tries to put something in its butt.
Jun 22, 2019 at 03:16 AM

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