Animal scientists
SOC Code: 19-1011
Animal scientists carries a 26% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $79,120 and +5.8% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 2,800 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 26% AI exposure, Animal scientists sits 11 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 18% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Animal scientists sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Animal scientists has ai exposure of 26%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Animal scientists vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Animal scientists is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Animal scientists (SOC 19-1011) carries an AI exposure score of 26%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 2,800 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +5.8% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $79,120, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Animal scientists. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Study nutritional requirements of animals and nutritive values of animal feed materials.
- 2. Write up or orally communicate research findings to the scientific community, producers, and the public.
- 3. Develop improved practices in feeding, housing, sanitation, or parasite and disease control of animals.
- 4. Advise producers about improved products and techniques that could enhance their animal production efforts.
- 5. Conduct research concerning animal nutrition, breeding, or management to improve products or processes.
- 6. Study effects of management practices, processing methods, feed, or environmental conditions on quality and quantity of animal products, such as eggs and milk.
- 7. Research and control animal selection and breeding practices to increase production efficiency and improve animal quality.
- 8. Determine genetic composition of animal populations and heritability of traits, using principles of genetics.
- 9. Crossbreed animals with existing strains or cross strains to obtain new combinations of desirable characteristics.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
Knowledge Areas
- Biology
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Chemistry
- Food Production
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Animal scientists?
Animal scientists has an AI exposure score of 26%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Animal scientists?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Animal scientists is projected to grow by 5.8% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 2,800 workers.
What skills are needed for Animal scientists?
Key skills for Animal scientists include Reading Comprehension, Writing, Science, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Animal scientists earn?
The median annual wage for Animal scientists is $79,120, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Animal scientists?
The typical entry-level education for Animal scientists is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Animal scientists?
Animal scientists roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 9 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).