Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Healthcare Support · SOC 31-9096
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
AI Exposure Analysis
Top Skills
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
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.
Common titles: Animal Care Provider, Animal Caregiver, Avian Keeper, Certified Veterinary Assistant, Emergency Veterinary Assistant, Inpatient Technician Assistant
Representative Tasks
- •Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
- •Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
- •Fill medication prescriptions.
- •Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
- •Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety.
- •Give medications or immunizations.
- •Monitor patients to detect health problems.
- •Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
- •Control prescription refills or authorizations.
Tools & Technologies
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 1.8% | 4.9% |
| Outlook | Bright ↗ | 69% Bright |
| Median Salary | $38,150 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 98/100 | N/A |