20 Jobs Working With Animals (High-Paying, Entry-Level, And Work-From-Home)

We get it. Not only is that furry, four-legged little guy your best buddy, but you also want to surround yourself with critters every day. And, if you pick the right career, that’s exactly what you can do. There are some incredible careers for animal lovers that let them surround themselves with what makes them happiest.

Zippia has its hands on the pulse of the employment world. We know what jobs are out there, what they pay, which ones let you be your own boss, and which ones are perfect first jobs. If your deepest desire is working with the furry, purry, creepy-crawly, feathered, scaly, and wet animals – then we’ve got your job in the animal industry.

1. Veterinarian Jobs (Overview)

2. Veterinary Surgeon Jobs (Overview)

3. Marine Biologist Jobs (Overview)

4. Farrier Jobs (Overview)

5. Dog Walker Jobs (Overview)

6. Pet Groomer Jobs (Overview)

7. Veterinary Technician Jobs (Overview)

8. Animal Control Officer Jobs (Overview)

9. Pet Sitter Jobs (Overview)

10. Blogger Jobs (Overview)

11. Artist Jobs (Overview)

12. Service Dog Trainer Jobs (Overview)

13. Zoo Keeper Jobs (Overview)

14. Park Ranger Jobs (Overview)

15. Animal Shelter Worker Jobs (Overview)

16. Animal Trainer Supervisor Jobs (Overview)

High-Paying Jobs Working With Animals

Animals are your passion, but money comes in as the front runner in your list of priorities. That’s perfect (or should we say purr-fect) because these jobs working with animals are your ticket to a meaningful career and paid bills.

1. Veterinarian
   Average Annual Salary: $126,000

   Of course, veterinarians work with animals and it’s probably the first job most people think of when they consider a career that involves caring for animals. The pay is great but there is a lot of education on the road to having a career as a veterinarian.

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2. Veterinary surgeon
   Average Annual Salary: $246,000

   This is a specialized role that requires even more education and a higher level of skills. But the pay is very rewarding and so is the experience.

   You may open your own clinic or work in a zoo. You might even find that you can spread your services out and be on call for several different businesses when they need your special skills.

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3. Marine biologist
   Average Annual Salary: $61,804

   If furry animals aren’t your thing but sharks and dolphins are, then this can be the perfect job for you. Studying aquatic animals can mean getting up close and personal with the biggest creatures on the planet or spending a lot of time in a lab looking at microscopes. No matter what end of the spectrum you’re on, it’s interesting.

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4. Animal nutritionist
   Average Annual Salary: N/A

   No, this job isn’t for super-wealthy animals who want to go on a diet. Animal nutrition is science-driven and used in different ways. You might work with zoos to determine what diets are best for animals in captivity.

   You could work with breeders, farmers, or ranchers to help them improve their yields. And you can work with local and national environmental groups to learn about animal behavior based on food availability and selection.

5. Farrier
   Average Annual Salary: $28,669

   A farrier is kind of an equine pedicurist. That’s not all there is to it, but primarily, they have the very important task of cleaning, trimming, and shoeing horses.

   A starting farrier typically doesn’t make a whole lot of money, but if you can work into the racing world or the show horse business, you can make a few hundred thousand dollars a year keeping those magnificent horses on their toes.

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Entry-Level Jobs Working With Animals

You don’t have any experience, maybe you have a little education or training, but you’re ready to work with animals. Don’t worry, there are a lot of starter jobs that let you work with animals. Once you get some work experience and learn the ropes a little, you can start crafting your critter-filled career.

1. Pet store clerk
   Average Annual Salary: N/A

   This is an easy job to find if your town is big enough to have a pet store. They’re always looking for smart and friendly staff to help customers and their pets find just the right treats, toys, and food.

2. Dog walker
   Average Annual Salary: $23,000

   No experience, no problem. Dog walking is a great way to spend time outside with animals and earn a few extra bucks. This is an ideal job for someone with school commitments because you can create your own schedule and then just enjoy the time with those four-legged friends.

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3. Pet groomer
   Average Annual Salary: $22,412

   A lot of places will train their pet groomers, some want you to have the skills before coming onboard. But this is still a great entry-level position that lets you spend time with animals and make them look their super-furry best.

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4. Veterinary technician
   Average Annual Salary: $32,000

   A vet tech works under the supervision of a veterinarian, but they also have some training in the field of animal medicine so be prepared for a bit of education. Your veterinary school experience can last from two to four years, depending on the type of degree you’re seeking.

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5. Animal control officer
   Average Annual Salary: $46,000

   If you have a way with animals, then your community needs you. Animal control officers help find strays, capture threatening and feral animals, remove pests, and sometimes get kittens out of trees.

   It can be a difficult job at times, especially if you live in an area with dangerous, wild animals. And it can be a very rewarding job when you save someone’s best friend.

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Work From Home Jobs Working With Animals

Can you imagine a better situation? You get to work from home, and you can be surrounded by loveable furry critters every single day. It’s possible if you do one of these jobs.

1. Pet sitter
   Average Annual Salary: $10,000

   Opening your own doggie daycare or pet-sitting operation might but just the thing to give you an extra income and let you pursue other things. But be prepared, this industry is simply booming, and you might find that it’s not only taking up a lot of your time, but it’s turning into one lucrative endeavor.

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2. Animal writer/Blogger/social star
   Average Annual Salary: $41,048

   If you have some animal know-how and you’re a good writer, you can create your own online entity around animals and turn it into a career. Even if you don’t want to start a blog, there are a lot of animal-related industries that are looking for good bloggers so they can get the word out.

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3. Animal photographer/Artist
   Average Annual Salary: $72,000

   A few years ago, we’re not sure this could be turned into a lucrative career, but it certainly can now. People are obsessed with their favorite pets and they don’t care who knows it. It’s almost a source of pride to show off your animal buddy.

   That’s why animal portraits and other types of artwork are in huge demand. You can have a studio in your home, set up an Etsy shop, or travel around to art fairs. The good news is this is mainly a work-from-home affair.

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4. Animal breeder
   Average Annual Salary: N/A

   Having one incredible pet who can serve as a stud for many female pets is a job that pays pretty well. But it’s a tricky field because there are a lot of rules and you certainly don’t want to get into a hoarder situation.

   You also can never quite guarantee what’s going to happen. Talking to several reputable breeders before you start this venture will help you get off on the right foot…or paw.

5. Apiarist
   Average Annual Salary: N/A

   Let’s be honest, not all creatures are cute and fuzzy. Well, then again, bees actually can be cute and fuzzy, right? An apiarist is a beekeeper who maintains beehives, harvests their honey, and helps save the planet at the same time. What a magnificent work-from-home job that is if you live in just the right place.

Other Jobs Working With Animals

Let’s face it, many, many more jobs let you work with animals. You might not be making the most money, you certainly aren’t new to work, and you like working with people just as much as animals. If this describes you, then these might be good animal-related careers for you to pursue.

1. Animal therapy or Service dog trainer
   Average Annual Salary: $28,000

   If you care about animals and people, then the best thing you can do is work in one of these careers. Learning to train animals to help people who are handicapped can be a very rewarding job.

   Unfortunately, it typically doesn’t pay a lot, but perhaps the satisfaction is what matters most to you. If you’re working in therapy, including animals can open a new world of emotion and communication to some people.

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2. Zoo keeper
   Average Annual Salary: $31,016

   This job can be different at each zoo, so the pay rate and experience necessary can vary greatly. In some zoos, the zookeeper is responsible for the care and treatment of the animals and might need to have a degree. In others, a zookeeper can be little more than a tour guide.

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3. Conservationist/Forrester/Park ranger
   Average Annual Salary: $43,000

   Combine your love of animals with a love of the outdoors and you’re the perfect person to work in a state or national park. Wildlife habitats are protected throughout the country and they always need qualified and passionate staff.

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4. Animal shelter staff
   Average Annual Salary: $32,421

   Whether you’re just starting or you’re a manager or even owner of a rescue/shelter, you know why this job is important. When you work in an animal shelter, you’re helping animals get their first or a second shot at a good life. Many times, they wouldn’t even have that opportunity if it wasn’t for you. It’s not the best-paying job in the world, but it doesn’t require a lot of education, and you’re making a huge difference in the lives of animals and the people you work with.

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5. Animal Trainer Supervisor
   Average Annual Salary: $43,205

   Can you make Fido sit? What about training a lion to roar on cue? Animal trainers can work in a small business teaching obedience lessons or they can work on feature films and commercials coaxing all sorts of animals to play their parts. It’s all about hands-on experience, so this is a difficult job to get a start in unless you already know someone in the business.

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Jobs With Animals FAQ

• What should I study to work with animals?

  To work with animals, you should study subjects such as veterinary science, zoology, and environmental science. At a basic level, veterinary science will help you understand the anatomy and behavior of animals, zoology is useful for getting a genetic and evolutionary background of the animal kingdom, and environmental science is essential for understanding the natural habitats of wildlife as well as the application of sustainable agricultural practices.

  Depending on what type of work you want to do with animals and what type of animals you want to work with, courses in marine biology, farm management, conservation biology, and countless other fields relating to animal biology and ecology can all be useful gateways to a satisfying career working with animals.

• Can I work with animals without a degree?

  Yes, you can work with animals without a degree. Jobs in dog walking, pet sitting, pet grooming, and training can all be run on a freelance basis or landed as an entry-level job without a college degree. Additionally, animal breeding doesn’t require a degree (although you will need to register with your state and other official bodies (e.g., the American Kennel Club, for dog breeding).

  There are also many positions for veterinary support and administrative staff that don’t require a college degree, especially if you have experience in customer service and/or administrative office work.

  And then there are creative jobs, like animal artists, photographers, and bloggers, which only require a bit of entrepreneurial spirit, dedication, and a commitment to making your clients happy.

• What is the highest-paid job with animals?

  Veterinarian is the highest-paid job with animals. Veterinarians earn an average annual salary of $126,000, with the 90th percentile earning $322,000 a year. These high paychecks are the result of highly-specialized knowledge and skills. All vets need to complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM), which typically takes four years to complete (after finishing an undergraduate degree).

• Is it hard to get a job at a zoo?

  Yes, it is hard to get a job at a zoo. Zoo jobs are in high demand, as many people interested in careers with animals see the experience of working with diverse and exotic creatures from around the globe as the be-all-and-end-all of their vocation. Not to mention that working in a zoo is difficult and often requires constant vigilance during long shifts, sometimes entirely outdoors.

  On top of that, zoo jobs don’t always pay that much, so the people who are willing to take those jobs are typically extraordinarily dedicated and overqualified.

Final Thoughts

The best thing about wanting to work with animals is that the world loves its critters. If you can think of a job that involves animals, it’s probably out there and someone is looking to hire. Or you can start your own business and be your own boss doing what you love.

There’s a lot of variety in the field of animal care, you could start in high school by walking or grooming dogs, go to college, train to become a veterinarian, and make a lot of money providing veterinary care during the day. Then at night, or even when you retire, you could have a little kennel where you watch other people’s animals when they’re away.

For people who are drawn to animals and working with them, it’s usually more about their passion for critters than anything else. Since there are so many animal-related jobs to choose from, there’s sure to be one that makes work a joy.

Author

Kristin Kizer

Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.