Veterinary services
NAICS Code: 541940
Industry Insight
The Veterinary services industry is classified under NAICS code 541940 and employed approximately 467,000 workers in 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections program. By 2034, BLS projects employment will reach 504,100 — a net change of +37,100 jobs over the decade. That works out to a +7.9% projected growth rate, a measured but positive trajectory.
NAICS 541940 sits within a broader sector ecosystem whose health depends on demographic trends, technology adoption curves, and policy decisions on immigration, tax incentives, and labor regulation. The occupation mix inside Veterinary services determines how AI displacement risk filters down to individual workers — industries dominated by clerical and routine analytical roles face the steepest exposure, while those anchored in physical skill, patient care, or creative judgment retain stronger resilience. The growth outlook makes this industry an attractive target for career changers, training investments, and regional economic development.
Use this industry profile alongside our occupation rankings and employer AI risk grades to build a full picture. The BLS publishes detailed wage and employment figures for each sector in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Employment Projections programs. The BLS Employment Projections methodology blends input-output modeling, productivity forecasts, and occupational staffing patterns, so estimates are directional rather than precise, and industry-level outcomes depend heavily on macroeconomic conditions that evolve between projection cycles.
Peer Industries by Employment
How Veterinary services (NAICS 541940) compares to industries of similar size, ordered by 2024 BLS employment.
| Industry | 2024 | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Other miscellaneous retailers | 487,700 | -2.8% |
| Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services | 482,600 | +20.3% |
| Fabricated metal product manufacturing (3321,2,5,6,9) | 467,800 | -9.5% |
| Veterinary services | 467,000 | +7.9% |
| Automotive mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance | 444,000 | +1.4% |
| Animal production and aquaculture | 442,400 | -3.3% |
Peers are selected by similarity in 2024 employment. Figures in thousands. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people work in Veterinary services?
As of 2024, the Veterinary services industry employs approximately 467,000 workers in the United States, according to BLS Employment Projections data.
Is Veterinary services growing or declining?
The Veterinary services industry is projected to grow by 7.9% from 2024 to 2034, a net change of +37,100 jobs over the decade.
What jobs are in the Veterinary services industry?
The Veterinary services industry (NAICS 541940) employs workers across a range of occupations. Browse the full occupations directory to see AI exposure scores, wage data, and growth projections for specific roles common in this industry.
How will AI affect the Veterinary services industry?
AI impact on the Veterinary services industry depends on the specific occupation mix. Industries with more routine data processing and clerical roles tend to have higher AI displacement risk, while those requiring physical labor, complex judgment, or creative work face lower risk. View occupation-level AI exposure scores for detailed analysis.
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 Employment figures in thousands. Data reflects projected changes over the 2024–2034 decade