Veterinary Technician

O*NET: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians·29-2056.00

The Verdict:Hands-on work with live animals defines the role: restraining for exams, administering anesthesia, wound suturing, post-op monitoring. No robotics safely handles unpredictable animals. AI assists with lab analysis and records without displacing core clinical tasks. Pet care demand sustains growth.

Resilience Score

/100

Highly Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$46k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+9%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 1 of 31 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role's core work is hard to automate.
22 of 31 tasks require human judgment, presence, or trust. The 26% that are AI-leverage offer an edge — professionals who learn these tools will outperform those who don't.

1exposed

8AI leverage

22human-essential

View all 31 tasks

AI Can Handle This1 task

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Schedule appointments and procedures for animals.

AI Leverage8 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.

Perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, or feces, such as urinalyses or blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.

Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.

Discuss medical health of pets with clients, such as post-operative status.

Maintain laboratory, research, or treatment records, as well as inventories of pharmaceuticals, equipment, or supplies.

Provide information or counseling regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition.

Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.

Perform a variety of office, clerical, or accounting duties, such as reception, billing, bookkeeping, or selling products.

Human Advantage22 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.

Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.

Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.

Restrain animals during exams or procedures.

Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.

Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.

Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.

Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.

Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms.

Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.

Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.

Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.

Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment.

Clean kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.

Take animals into treatment areas and assist with physical examinations by performing such duties as obtaining temperature, pulse, or respiration data.

Prepare treatment rooms for surgery.

Maintain instruments, equipment, or machinery to ensure proper working condition.

Dress and suture wounds and apply splints or other protective devices.

Provide assistance with animal euthanasia and the disposal of remains.

Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members.

Bathe animals, clip nails or claws, and brush or cut animals' hair.

Conduct specialized procedures, such as animal branding or tattooing or hoof trimming.

Resilience Landscape

Veterinary Technician lands in Stable, Lower Pay

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