AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 39-2021.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Animal Caretakers?

Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks.

Estimated AI task exposure
37%

Low-Moderate exposure

V11 weights occupation tasks using O*NET Importance, Relevance and Frequency ratings instead of treating every task equally.

22 tasks have usable Task Rating records; weighted-task coverage is 100%.

Digital/info work

45/100

Physical moat

44/100

Human moat

26/100

Rating coverage

100%

22 task statements / 22 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
Importance 96/100Relevance 87/100Frequency 78/100Weight 0.88
Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
Importance 90/100Relevance 92/100Frequency 77/100Weight 0.88
Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles.
Importance 87/100Relevance 91/100Frequency 78/100Weight 0.86
Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
Importance 80/100Relevance 95/100Frequency 72/100Weight 0.84
Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
Importance 92/100Relevance 81/100Frequency 64/100Weight 0.81
Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.
Importance 88/100Relevance 78/100Frequency 66/100Weight 0.78
Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
Importance 85/100Relevance 72/100Frequency 76/100Weight 0.78
Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.
Importance 84/100Relevance 76/100Frequency 68/100Weight 0.77
Answer telephones and schedule appointments.
Importance 79/100Relevance 69/100Frequency 70/100Weight 0.73
Perform animal grooming duties, such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears.
Importance 72/100Relevance 81/100Frequency 56/100Weight 0.71

Task weighting

Each rated task receives a composite weight: 38% relevance, 37% importance and 25% frequency. Core tasks receive a small additional multiplier. Low-precision rows flagged by O*NET for suppression are excluded.

Occupation scoring

When rating coverage is strong, rated tasks contribute 60% of the digital, physical and human task signals and Work Activities contribute 40%. Lower-coverage occupations automatically rely more on Work Activities.

U.S. labor market

BLS Wage & Employment Outlook

Median annual wage

$35,360

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

266,910

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

+12.1%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

63

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

BLS labor-market figures are separate from the site's AI-exposure model. Missing values mean a compatible detailed BLS occupation estimate was not published or could not be mapped.

Career pivot radar

Safer Career Alternatives

These options are selected from the same 923-occupation model. They favor a similar task/work profile with meaningfully lower estimated AI exposure. They are suggestions for exploration, not guarantees of job fit.

SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Millwrights

5%

32 points lower exposure • 83% profile similarity

Median wage: $65,700 Growth 2025–2035: +0.9% Annual openings: 3

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

5%

32 points lower exposure • 81% profile similarity

Median wage: $56,210 Growth 2025–2035: +4.4% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Bicycle Repairers

5%

32 points lower exposure • 80% profile similarity

Median wage: $42,780 Growth 2025–2035: -5.7% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Hydroelectric Production Managers

10%

27 points lower exposure • 84% profile similarity

Median wage: $126,060 Growth 2025–2035: +2.6% Annual openings: 17

stronger human/judgment moat, more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

9%

28 points lower exposure • 83% profile similarity

Median wage: $61,010 Growth 2025–2035: +10.9% Annual openings: 41

more physical-world work, lower AI leverage
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Helpers--Extraction Workers

5%

32 points lower exposure • 80% profile similarity

Median wage: $47,730 Growth 2025–2035: +1.7% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure

Personalized career defense protocol

AI-Proofing Plan

AUTOMATE

    AUGMENT

      PROTECT

      • domain expertise
      • exception handling
      • accountability for outcomes

      LEARN

      • cross-functional business knowledge
      • risk and governance

      AI-PROOFING RESOURCES

      What this score does not mean

      The percentage is a comparative task-exposure index. It is not the probability that this occupation disappears, that a worker is laid off, or that AI can perform the entire job.

      New in V11

      Find a Safer Career Path

      High exposure does not mean starting over. V11 compares your occupation with the other 922 O*NET occupations and surfaces lower-exposure options with similar work profiles.

      EXPLORE CAREER ALTERNATIVES
      I am your guide.
      Knowledge is your strongest upgrade.