Grows with AI

Zoologists and wildlife biologists

Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.

AI Resistance Index 25 of 99

Changing faster than most: more resilient than 25% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by +3.6% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on creative vision and ethical judgement.

AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.

Median pay (2025): $76,780
Job growth to 2035: +3.6%
Openings a year: 1,400
People doing it (2025): 19,500
Usual route in: Bachelor's degree

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Where people already use AI for this work

Research biological or ecological phenomena
Present research or technical information
Communicate environmental or sustainability information

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Monitor environmental conditions
Advise others on environmental sustainability or green practices
Investigate the environmental impact of industrial or development activities

What the work looks like

Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs.
Develop, or make recommendations on, management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

ForestersHuman edge, steady, Index 52, +2.2%
Life scientists, all otherGrows with AI, Index 30, +6.3%
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographersGrows with AI, Index 38, +5.1%
Food scientists and technologistsGrows with AI, Index 61, +6.2%

Also known as: Conservation Biologist, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Fisheries Biologist, Wildlife Biologist, Aquatic Biologist, Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist, Habitat Biologist, Migratory Game Bird Biologist.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.