Animal trainers
SOC Code: 39-2011
Animal trainers carries a 31% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $38,750 and +5.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 47,300 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Animal trainers (SOC 39-2011) carries an AI exposure score of 31%, 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 47,300 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +5.1% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $38,750, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, 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 trainers. 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. 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.
- 2. Cue or signal animals during performances.
- 3. Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
- 4. Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
- 5. Use oral, spur, rein, or hand commands to condition horses to carry riders or to pull horse-drawn equipment.
- 6. Retrain horses to break bad habits, such as kicking, bolting, or resisting bridling or grooming.
- 7. Feed or exercise animals or provide other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas.
- 8. Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care.
- 9. Train dogs in human assistance or property protection duties.
- 10. Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
Key Skills Required
- Instructing
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Psychology
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Sales and Marketing
- Administrative
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Biology
- Public Safety and Security
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Animal trainers?
Animal trainers has an AI exposure score of 31%, 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 trainers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Animal trainers is projected to grow by 5.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 47,300 workers.
What skills are needed for Animal trainers?
Key skills for Animal trainers include Instructing, Speaking, Learning Strategies, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Animal trainers earn?
The median annual wage for Animal trainers is $38,750, 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 trainers?
The typical entry-level education for Animal trainers is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Animal trainers?
Animal trainers 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 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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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).