Animal Trainers
SOC: 39-2011.00 · Job Zone 2 (Some preparation)
Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or assisting persons with disabilities. Accustom animals to human voice and contact; and condition animals to respond to commands. Train animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition. May train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of pack team.
AI Impact Summary
Animal Trainers faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 19/100. Significant displacement is estimated between 2046 and 2076. Of 19 analyzed tasks, 1 are highly automatable, particularly in routine_cognitive. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$38,750
per year
Mean Wage
$45,780
per year
Employment
20K
workers
Wage Range
$29,120 - $70,800
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 25.4%
Skill Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (7)
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (5)
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Animal Trainers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Instructing
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Task Breakdown
19 tasks analyzed
Train horses or other equines for riding, harness, show, racing, or other work, using knowledge of breed characteristics, training methods, performance standards, and the peculiarities of each animal.
Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
Cue or signal animals during performances.
Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
Use oral, spur, rein, or hand commands to condition horses to carry riders or to pull horse-drawn equipment.
Retrain horses to break bad habits, such as kicking, bolting, or resisting bridling or grooming.
Feed or exercise animals or provide other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas.
Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care.
Train dogs in human assistance or property protection duties.
Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
Train dogs to work as guides for the visually impaired.
Place tack or harnesses on horses to accustom horses to the feel of equipment.
Administer prescribed medications to animals.
Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.
Evaluate animals for trainability and ability to perform.
Advise animal owners regarding the purchase of specific animals.
Train and rehearse animals, according to scripts, for motion picture, television, film, stage, or circus performances.
Organize or conduct animal shows.
Instruct jockeys in handling specific horses during races.
| Task | Category | AI Capability | Risk Score | Time % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train horses or other equines for riding, harness, show, racing, or other work, using knowledge of breed characteristics, training methods, performance standards, and the peculiarities of each animal. | Non-Routine Manual | 0 | 9.0 | 9% |
| Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact. | Non-Routine Manual | 0 | 9.0 | 9% |
| Cue or signal animals during performances. | Non-Routine Manual | 0 | 9.0 | 5% |
| Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes. | Non-Routine Manual | 0 | 9.0 | 11% |
| Use oral, spur, rein, or hand commands to condition horses to carry riders or to pull horse-drawn equipment. | Non-Routine Manual | 0 | 9.0 | 5% |
| Retrain horses to break bad habits, such as kicking, bolting, or resisting bridling or grooming. | Non-Routine Manual | 0 | 9.0 | 5% |
| Feed or exercise animals or provide other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas. | Routine Manual | 30 | 45.0 | 11% |
| Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care. | Non-Routine Analytical | 65 | 53.0 | 5% |
| Train dogs in human assistance or property protection duties. | Non-Routine Manual | 0 | 9.0 | 5% |
| Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training. | Non-Routine Analytical | 45 | 45.0 | 5% |
| Train dogs to work as guides for the visually impaired. | Non-Routine Manual | 0 | 9.0 | 5% |
| Place tack or harnesses on horses to accustom horses to the feel of equipment. | Routine Manual | 30 | 45.0 | 4% |
| Administer prescribed medications to animals. | Routine Manual | 25 | 43.0 | 3% |
| Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 5% |
| Evaluate animals for trainability and ability to perform. | Non-Routine Analytical | 45 | 45.0 | 5% |
| Advise animal owners regarding the purchase of specific animals. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 15 | 21.0 | 3% |
| Train and rehearse animals, according to scripts, for motion picture, television, film, stage, or circus performances. | Non-Routine Manual | 0 | 9.0 | 4% |
| Organize or conduct animal shows. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 15 | 21.0 | 2% |
| Instruct jockeys in handling specific horses during races. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 15 | 21.0 | 2% |
Community Assessment
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