32 Jobs That Involve Animals (With Salaries and Job Duties)
Jobs involving animals are available in veterinary clinics, farms, laboratories, zoos, shelters, parks and conservation organizations. Some positions involve daily animal care, while others focus on research, education, habitat protection or business operations.
The salary figures below are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics median annual wages from May 2024. When the BLS does not publish a separate category for a specific title, the closest related occupational group is identified. Actual salaries vary by location, employer, education, experience and employment type.
1. Veterinarian
Salary: $125,510 per year
Veterinarians diagnose and treat animal illnesses and injuries. They conduct examinations, prescribe medication, perform surgery and advise owners about preventive care.
Veterinarians need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and state licensure.
2. Veterinary Technologist or Technician
Salary: $45,980 per year
Veterinary technicians assist veterinarians by preparing animals, collecting samples, performing laboratory tests and monitoring patients.
Education and credentialing requirements vary by position and state.
3. Veterinary Assistant
Salary: $37,320 per year
Veterinary assistants provide routine animal care and support clinical teams. They may clean examination areas, feed animals, restrain patients and prepare equipment.
The salary shown is the BLS median for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers.
4. Laboratory Animal Caretaker
Salary: $37,320 per year
Laboratory animal caretakers feed, observe and maintain animals used in approved research programs. They document health changes and follow strict welfare and sanitation procedures.
Training and certifications may be required depending on the facility.
5. Animal Caretaker
Salary: $33,470 per year
Animal caretakers feed, exercise and observe animals in shelters, kennels, pet stores and other facilities.
They may also clean enclosures, update records and assist customers.
6. Kennel Attendant
Related BLS median: $33,470 per year for animal caretakers
Kennel attendants care for animals staying at boarding, shelter or veterinary facilities. Duties include cleaning kennels, providing food and water, exercising animals and reporting health concerns.
7. Animal Shelter Worker
Related BLS median: $33,470 per year for animal caretakers
Animal shelter workers provide daily care to displaced or surrendered animals. They may assist with adoptions, maintain records, clean facilities and educate visitors.
The work can be physically and emotionally demanding.
8. Pet Sitter
Related BLS median: $33,470 per year for animal caretakers
Pet sitters care for animals while owners are away. They may feed pets, administer approved medications, clean litter areas and provide updates.
Self-employed pet sitters’ income varies according to pricing, location and number of clients.
9. Dog Walker
Related BLS median: $33,470 per year for animal caretakers
Dog walkers exercise dogs and monitor their safety and behavior. They may work for a pet-care company or operate an independent business.
Reliable scheduling, animal-handling skills and suitable insurance can be important.
10. Pet Groomer
Related BLS median: $33,470 per year for animal caretakers
Pet groomers bathe, trim and style animals’ coats. They may also clean ears, trim nails and check for visible health concerns that should be referred to an owner or veterinarian.
Formal training or an apprenticeship can help develop safe grooming techniques.
11. Animal Trainer
Salary: $38,750 per year
Animal trainers teach animals specific behaviors for obedience, assistance, entertainment or work.
They use repetition, conditioning and reward-based techniques while monitoring animal welfare. BLS
12. Dog Trainer
Related BLS median: $38,750 per year for animal trainers
Dog trainers help owners teach obedience, socialization or specialized behaviors.
Some trainers focus on service animals, detection work, sports or behavior modification. Advanced behavioral cases may require veterinary or certified behavior expertise.
13. Horse Trainer
Related BLS median: $38,750 per year for animal trainers
Horse trainers prepare horses for riding, competition or work. They evaluate behavior, develop training routines and teach riders how to work safely with the animal.
Income can vary considerably by specialty and client base.
14. Zookeeper
Related BLS median: $33,470 per year for animal caretakers
Zookeepers feed and observe animals, maintain habitats and support enrichment programs.
They may also educate visitors, assist veterinary teams and maintain detailed welfare records.
15. Aquarist
Related BLS median: $33,470 per year for animal caretakers
Aquarists care for fish, marine mammals and other aquatic organisms in aquariums, research centers and rehabilitation facilities.
Responsibilities may include water-quality testing, feeding, habitat maintenance and visitor education.
16. Animal Control Officer
Salary: varies by local government and jurisdiction
Animal control officers respond to reports involving stray, dangerous, injured or mistreated animals. They enforce local regulations, capture animals safely and prepare incident records.
The position may require specialized training, certification and knowledge of local law.
17. Wildlife Rehabilitator
Salary: varies; many positions are nonprofit, seasonal or volunteer-based
Wildlife rehabilitators care for injured or orphaned wild animals with the goal of returning suitable animals to the wild.
Permits, veterinary support and species-specific facilities may be required.
18. Zoologist
Salary: $72,860 per year
Zoologists study animals, their behavior and their relationships with ecosystems.
They may conduct field research, analyze data, publish findings and advise conservation programs.
19. Wildlife Biologist
Salary: $72,860 per year
Wildlife biologists study wild animal populations and habitats. They may collect samples, track migration, evaluate human impacts and develop conservation recommendations.
Advanced research positions may require graduate education.
20. Marine Biologist
Related BLS median: $72,860 per year for zoologists and wildlife biologists
Marine biologists study organisms and ecosystems in oceans, estuaries and other aquatic environments.
Their work can involve field sampling, laboratory analysis, data modeling and conservation.
21. Animal Scientist
Salary: $79,120 per year
Animal scientists research animal nutrition, genetics, reproduction, welfare and production.
They may work for universities, government agencies, farms or agricultural companies.
22. Animal Nutritionist
Related BLS median: $79,120 per year for animal scientists
Animal nutritionists develop and evaluate diets for livestock, companion animals, zoo animals or research populations.
Many positions require education in animal science, nutrition, chemistry or a related discipline.
23. Biological Technician
Salary: $52,000 per year
Biological technicians support scientists with laboratory preparation, experiments, sample collection and data analysis.
Those working with animals must follow safety, welfare and research protocols.
24. Agricultural Science Technician
Salary: $46,790 per year
Agricultural science technicians assist with research involving livestock, food production, soil or agricultural processes.
They may collect samples, maintain equipment and record experimental findings.
25. Conservation Scientist
Salary: $67,950 per year
Conservation scientists manage natural resources and help protect habitats used by wildlife.
They may evaluate land conditions, create management plans and work with landowners or government agencies.
26. Environmental Scientist
Salary: $80,060 per year
Environmental scientists investigate environmental conditions and recommend ways to reduce harm to ecosystems and public health.
Animal-related work may involve habitat assessments, pollution studies and environmental impact reviews.
27. Environmental Science Technician
Salary: $49,490 per year
Environmental science technicians collect air, soil and water samples and assist with environmental inspections.
They may help monitor habitats and investigate conditions affecting wildlife.
28. Park Naturalist
Related BLS median: $43,680 per year for forest and conservation workers
Park naturalists educate visitors about local plants, animals and ecosystems. They may lead tours, create interpretive programs and support conservation projects.
Government positions can have different classifications and salary scales.
29. Ranch Manager
Salary: $87,980 per year
Ranch managers oversee livestock, employees, facilities, finances and production plans.
Income can fluctuate with weather, operating costs and livestock prices. The salary shown is the BLS median for farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers.
30. Livestock Manager
Related BLS median: $87,980 per year for agricultural managers
Livestock managers supervise the feeding, breeding, health monitoring and movement of farm animals.
They coordinate employees, veterinarians, suppliers and production schedules.
31. Animal Breeder
Salary: varies by species, employer and self-employment income
Animal breeders select animals for reproduction based on health, genetics, temperament or production goals.
Responsible breeders follow animal-welfare standards, maintain records and screen for inherited health conditions.
32. Wildlife Photographer
Salary: varies by assignment, licensing and self-employment revenue
Wildlife photographers create images for publishers, conservation organizations, tourism companies and stock marketplaces.
The work requires technical photography skills, patience, knowledge of animal behavior and respect for wildlife-protection rules.
Skills for Working With Animals
Useful skills include:
- Observation
- Patience
- Physical stamina
- Animal handling
- Communication
- Recordkeeping
- Safety awareness
- Emotional resilience
- Scientific knowledge
- Teamwork
How To Choose an Animal-Related Career
Consider:
- The species you want to work with
- Direct care versus research
- Education and licensing requirements
- Physical working conditions
- Emotional demands
- Potential exposure to injury or disease
- Salary expectations
- Availability of local jobs
- Required travel or fieldwork
Volunteering, internships and job shadowing can help you understand the work before pursuing extensive education.
Present Animal Research With Dokie
Dokie can help students, researchers and animal-care organizations turn approved reports, research notes and educational materials into structured presentations. It can organize animal-care procedures, study findings and conservation plans into clear slides.
Users can edit the generated content and export it as an editable PowerPoint file. They should verify all scientific and veterinary information and remove confidential client, research or animal-health records before uploading documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What animal job pays the most?
Veterinarians are among the higher-paid animal-care professionals, but the role requires extensive education and licensure.
Can you work with animals without a degree?
Yes. Animal caretaker, kennel attendant, pet sitter and dog walker positions may accept candidates without a college degree.
What careers involve wildlife?
Options include wildlife biologist, zoologist, rehabilitator, conservation scientist, park naturalist and wildlife photographer.
Is working with animals physically demanding?
It can be. Some positions involve lifting, cleaning, outdoor work and exposure to unpredictable animals.
Do animal-care jobs require certification?
Requirements vary. Veterinary, research, training and government positions may require licenses, credentials or specialized training.
How can I gain animal-care experience?
Consider volunteering at a shelter, completing an internship or working in an entry-level kennel or veterinary assistant role.
Are salaries higher in research or direct animal care?
Scientific and licensed medical positions generally have higher education requirements and may offer higher median salaries.
Are animal jobs emotionally difficult?
Some roles involve illness, injury, neglect or euthanasia. Emotional resilience and workplace support are important.