Social Services
Animal Caretakers
Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks.
Median salary
$33,470
Typical range
$25k – $46k
Job outlook
+12% (much faster than average)
AI exposure
Plan a path to Animal Caretakers
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Animal Caretakers
Entry / Junior
$24,500
~2 yrs to advance
Animal Caretakers
Established
$33,470
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Animal Caretakers
Senior
$39,975
Key skills
A typical day
- •Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
- •Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
- •Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
- •Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.
- •Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Social Services
Explore all- University of Michigan18% admit · $87,000 grad pay
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill19% admit · $73,000 grad pay
- University of Chicago5% admit · $91,000 grad pay
- Columbia University4% admit · $103,000 grad pay
- University of Wisconsin–Madison49% admit · $72,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.