Also called: Animal Research Technician, LAT
Cares for animals in research facilities and helps with study procedures.
Checks every cage of mice each morning, changes bedding and water, weighs animals for studies, gives treatments, and keeps detailed records. Certification ladder (ALAT, LAT, LATG) raises pay.
Estimate based on BLS veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma plus on-the-job training and AALAS certification.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Animal Science, Biology, Veterinary Technology.
Growing much faster than average (about 10% over 10 years).
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Cage sensors and auto-watering help, and new non-animal test methods may shrink colonies; daily animal care stays hands-on.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to universities and research labs for animal care technician jobs; AALAS certification comes later
Classes: Biology, Vet-science CTE, Chemistry, Agriscience (FFA).
Official data: O*NET occupation 31-9096.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.