Veterinarians
SOC Code: 29-1131
Veterinarians carries a 32% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $125,510 and +9.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 86,400 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
Veterinarians (SOC 29-1131) carries an AI exposure score of 32%, 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 86,400 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +9.6% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $125,510, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Doctoral or professional 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 Veterinarians. 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. Treat sick or injured animals by prescribing medication, setting bones, dressing wounds, or performing surgery.
- 2. Inoculate animals against various diseases, such as rabies or distemper.
- 3. Examine animals to detect and determine the nature of diseases or injuries.
- 4. Collect body tissue, feces, blood, urine, or other body fluids for examination and analysis.
- 5. Operate diagnostic equipment, such as radiographic or ultrasound equipment, and interpret the resulting images.
- 6. Educate the public about diseases that can be spread from animals to humans.
- 7. Counsel clients about the deaths of their pets or about euthanasia decisions for their pets.
- 8. Specialize in a particular type of treatment, such as dentistry, pathology, nutrition, surgery, microbiology, or internal medicine.
- 9. Direct the overall operations of animal hospitals, clinics, or mobile services to farms.
- 10. Advise animal owners regarding sanitary measures, feeding, general care, medical conditions, or treatment options.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
- Speaking
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Writing
- Service Orientation
Knowledge Areas
- Biology
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- Chemistry
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Administration and Management
- Psychology
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Veterinarians?
Veterinarians has an AI exposure score of 32%, 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 Veterinarians?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Veterinarians is projected to grow by 9.6% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 86,400 workers.
What skills are needed for Veterinarians?
Key skills for Veterinarians include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Active Learning, and others. Typical entry-level education is Doctoral or professional degree.
How much do Veterinarians earn?
The median annual wage for Veterinarians is $125,510, 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 Veterinarians?
The typical entry-level education for Veterinarians is Doctoral or professional 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 Veterinarians?
Veterinarians 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).