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Animal Control Workers

Protective Servicevery lowaugment
Projected change (est.): ~+5%
Median Wage (est.): ~$42,000
Employment (est.): ~16K

Overall Exposure

9+5

2025 vs 2023

Theoretical Exposure

17

What AI could do

Observed Exposure

4

What AI actually does

Automation Risk Score

6

Displacement risk

3-Year Outlook (2025 → 2028)

Projected changes in AI automation metrics over the next 3 years based on estimated data.

Overall Exposure

915
+6

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Theoretical Exposure

1726
+9

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Observed Exposure

47
+3

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Automation Risk

612
+6

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)

Task Breakdown

Capture and restrain stray or dangerous animals
5%β 0
Document incident reports and case records
35%β 0.5
Investigate animal cruelty complaints
10%β 0
Educate the public on animal regulations
20%β 0.5

About This Occupation

If you work as a Animal Control Workers, AI is reshaping your profession. With an automation risk of 6/100 and overall exposure at 9%, this role faces very-low transformation. The highest-impact area is document incident reports and case records at 35% automation. This is classified as an 'augment' role. BLS projects +5% growth through 2034. The highly physical and unpredictable nature of animal handling provides strong protection against automation.

ISCO-08 classification

Unit group 5419ILO official

Protective Services Workers Not Elsewhere Classified

Definition

ILO original text (English)

This unit group covers protective services workers not classified elsewhere in Minor Group 541: Protective Services Workers. For instance, the unit group includes lifeguards, crossing guards and animal control officers.

Definition & vocabulary source

Source: International Labour Organization (ILO) — ISCO-08 Structure

License: ILO CC BY 4.0

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Official occupational information

  • ONET33-3031.00

    Fish and Game Wardens

    Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.

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  • ONET33-3041.00

    Parking Enforcement Workers

    Patrol assigned area, such as public parking lot or city streets to issue tickets to overtime parking violators and illegally parked vehicles.

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  • ONET33-9011.00

    Animal Control Workers

    Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.

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  • ONET33-9091.00

    Crossing Guards and Flaggers

    Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as streets, schools, railroad crossings, or construction sites.

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  • ONET33-9092.00

    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers

    Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.

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  • ONET33-9099.02

    Retail Loss Prevention Specialists

    Implement procedures and systems to prevent merchandise loss. Conduct audits and investigations of employee activity. May assist in developing policies, procedures, and systems for safeguarding assets.

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  • ONET43-5031.00

    Public Safety Telecommunicators

    Operate telephone, radio, or other communication systems to receive and communicate requests for emergency assistance at 9-1-1 public safety answering points and emergency operations centers. Take information from the public and other sources regarding crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, fires, medical emergencies, and other public safety matters. May coordinate and provide information to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. May access sensitive databases and other information sources as needed. May provide additional instructions to callers based on knowledge of and certification in law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical procedures.

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Source: O*NET 30.2, U.S. DOL/ETA

License: CC BY 4.0

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Frequently Asked Questions

With an automation risk score of 6%, Animal Control Workers has a low risk of AI replacement. Most tasks in this role require skills that are difficult for AI to replicate, such as complex decision-making, physical dexterity, or deep interpersonal interaction. AI is more likely to serve as a supportive tool.

Our estimated AI automation risk score for Animal Control Workers is 6% for 2025. Estimated overall AI exposure is 9%, with 17% theoretical exposure and 4% observed exposure. The estimated risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is +3 points. All of these are model-generated estimates, not measurements.

The tasks with the highest automation potential for Animal Control Workers are: Document incident reports and case records (35%), Educate the public on animal regulations (20%), Investigate animal cruelty complaints (10%). These rates are our own estimates of how much of each task current AI systems can handle. They are not measurements and are not taken from any external dataset.

We estimate a +5% employment change for Animal Control Workers between 2024 and 2034. This is our own estimate, not a figure published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Combined with an estimated overall AI exposure of 9%, this occupation faces both traditional labor market shifts and AI-driven transformation. Workers should monitor both employment trends and AI capability growth.

Since AI primarily augments capabilities in this role, professionals in Animal Control Workers should embrace AI as a productivity multiplier. Focus on learning to use AI tools effectively, developing higher-order analytical and creative skills, and positioning yourself as someone who can leverage AI to deliver greater value.

Recent AI Impact Changes

Mar 2026: New blog post: AI impact analysis for animal control officers

[Source: aichanging.work]