People interested in working with animals as a career have many options involving the care, maintenance and training of animals. Career options in veterinary clinics include becoming a veterinarian, veterinary technician or veterinary assistant. If you are interested in working with exotic animals, you may choose to become a zookeeper or wildlife biologist.

Animal Trainer

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Animal trainers work with animals like dogs, horses and dolphins. Professionals in this occupation may provide obedience training in addition to teaching animals how to perform during exhibition. Animal trainers may also work with service animals, such as seeing eye dogs. According to estimates reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, animal trainers will see a 20 percent increase in job opportunities from 2008 through 2018. Professional animal trainers earned an average yearly salary of $31,080, according to the May 2009 statistics released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Pet Groomer

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Pet groomers provide grooming services for pets. The typical job duties of a pet groomer may include giving a bath and trimming toenails in addition to cutting, shaving or styling an animal’s coat. Pet groomers typically work with companion animals like dogs and cats. Pet groomers may work out of a salon in a veterinary clinic or pet specialty store or out of a mobile grooming trailer that allows them to provide grooming services outside of a client’s residence. Dog groomers with one to four years of job experience received median salaries ranging from $21,981 to $32,417 as of June 2010, according to PayScale.

Animal Caretaker

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Animal caretakers work in kennels, veterinary hospitals and research laboratories and for private clients providing basic care like feeding animals, walking pets and cleaning cages and kennel runs. According to estimates reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, animal caretakers will see a 21 percent increase in job opportunities from 2008 through 2018. Employers of non-farm animal caretakers paid employees an average hourly wage of $10.50, according to the May 2009 statistics released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Animal Control Worker

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People who are passionate about animal welfare may consider becoming animal control workers who work to protect abused and mistreated animals. Professionals in this occupation capture stray animals, educate the public about the benefits of neutering or spaying pets and investigate reports of animal abuse. Animal control workers earned an average yearly salary of $26,370, according to the May 2020 statistics released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Animal Care and Service Workers salary

• Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $41,360 ($19.88/hour)
• Median Annual Salary: $26,370 ($12.68/hour)
• Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $19,380 ($9.32/hour)