The oft-quoted adage is that if “you choose a job you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life”. This idealistic perspective doesn’t always match up with reality – regardless of how passionate you are about something, there is immense amounts of hard work involved in any successful career (just ask some of our graduates at the School for Dog Trainers who have gone on to start their own dog training business if they’ve never worked a day in their life…).
However, for those who are passionate about animals, and have grown up with a deep affinity for them, choosing a line of work that involves working with animals on a daily basis is definitely worth considering. There are multiple paths that can lead to working directly and indirectly alongside animals, each with their own pros and cons. In this article, we’re going to outline some of the careers you can select that will enable you to work with animals.
1) Dog trainer
Okay, so we’re probably a little biased, but becoming a professional dog trainer is one of the first careers that comes to mind when thinking about working with animals. Many people have a passion for dogs from a young age, and this can be nurtured into a successful career – particularly if you have the right education. Within the sphere of dog training, you can also niche down if you are particularly interested in one area (ex: service dog training, Police K9 training, etc.).
Pros: Rewarding job that truly makes a difference; flexible schedule; several options for tailoring your career path.
Cons: Physically demanding; competitive market; can be challenging in some circumstances.
Average annual salary: $61,387 (Source: School for Dog Trainers’ National Dog Trainer Survey)
2) Veterinarian
Becoming a veterinarian is a popular route for those who wish to work with animals. Career options can range from starting out as a veterinary technician, to eventually running your own veterinary practice. Veterinarians need a caring and empathetic approach, but they also need to be mentally resilient – it can be an emotionally draining job, as it often requires dealing with stressful situations.
Pros: Helping animals in need; a job that will always be in demand; provides varied work.
Cons: Emotionally stressful; high education costs.
Average annual salary: $126,913 (Source: Indeed)
3) Park ranger
If you’re looking for a varied job that combines the great outdoors with working alongside a range of different animals, then perhaps a park ranger could be the job for you! Park rangers protect designated areas from environmental damage and help to keep animals safe. They are also often very visible to members of the public by providing educational details for visitors. As national, state or local parks are typically government property, this role is usually hired within the structure of government. In the United States, there are different types of rangers, including National Park Rangers, State Park Rangers, and local rangers for smaller parks.
Pros: Spending lots of time outside in nature; varied job duties; servicing the local community
Cons: Typically lower pay structure; physically demanding; frequent interactions with the public.
Average annual salary: $42,977 (Source: ZipRecruiter)
4) K9 Handler
Many people are in awe of the incredible work that Police K9s perform, helping to keep illicit substances off the streets and keeping local communities safe. As a K9 handler, you will be a member of your local law enforcement team, and will work alongside your assigned dog to perform your duties.
Pros: Working very closely and build a strong bond with one dog; purpose-driven work; chances for career progression in a number of directions (security or private sector work).
Cons: Dangers that come with working in law enforcement; physical, mental and emotional stress; responsibility of taking care of your K9.
Average annual salary: $44,423 (Source: Glassdoor)
5) Animal control officer
As the job title suggests, animal control officers have a varied list of responsibilities for protecting animals and local communities. They investigate issues of animal neglect, ensure that outbreaks of animal diseases are contained, help catch loose or stray animals, and oversee that the law is being followed in disputes that arise regarding animals.
Pros: No two days are the same due to the wide array of responsibilities; helping to protect animals from abuse.
Cons: Emotionally distressing; can involve dealing with fraught or dangerous situations; risk of injury from dealing with unruly animals.
Average annual salary: $47,913 (Source: ZipRecruiter)
6) Zookeeper
Have you ever imagined running an animal sanctuary where you can care and love for all types of animals? A zookeeper is involved in every aspect of caring for animals, including feeding, cleaning, training, and providing enrichment. Their role often extends to providing educational opportunities to visitors, including children.
Pros: Hands-on work with animals; play a role in conservation work; informing and educating visitors.
Cons: Physically demanding; risk of injuries from working with animals; potential liabilities and risks if involved in an ownership role.
Average annual salary: $41,524 (Source: Indeed)
7) Wildlife conservationist
A conservationist studies and monitors the world around us, investigating trends in subjects like animal populations, climate change, and biodiversity. Their overarching goal is to protect animal habitats and understand the risks that are posed to endangered species. As the scope of the role is very broad, wildlife conservationists often have the opportunity to explore and pursue areas of interest to them.
Pros: Travel opportunities for research; protecting the planet; chance to influence public policy and raise awareness of endangered animals.
Cons: Job stability can be uncertain if dependent on government grants or nonprofit funding; competitive job market.
Average annual salary: $64,945 (Source: ZipRecruiter)
8) Zoologist
Zoology is a branch of biology. As such, you’ll be heavily involved in the scientific study of animals, from their history and etymology, up to modern day trends and how different groups of animals interact with one another.
Pros: Fascinating work; contributing to conservation efforts; diverse career paths.
Cons: Requires extensive and lengthy education; limited job opportunities.
Average annual salary: $81,351 (Source: Salary.com)
9) Animal shelter manager
As ownership of companion animals continues to rise, so the demands on local animal shelters increases at the same pace. An animal shelter manager helps to lead day-to-day operations at the facility, helping to hire new staff, make crucial decisions on animal welfare matters, and promote public awareness of the shelter’s work. The constant churn of animals coming in and out of the shelter can be demanding.
Pros: Care for animals in need; leadership experience; varied work.
Cons: Emotionally challenging; may be lower pay due to budget pressures.
Average annual salary: $55,973 (Source: ZipRecruiter)
10) Animal nutritionist
Animal nutritionists assess the nutritional requirements of animals, and can help to manage weight and allergies through tailored diet plans. This work helps to improve the quality of life for animals, and prolong their overall health and wellbeing. An animal nutritionist also coaches and teaches pet owners on best practices for their pet’s diet.
Pros: Improving animal health and wellbeing; rewarding work; typically lower stress.
Cons: Less hands-on interaction with animals as working primarily with animal owners; educational requirements; may be low demand for this work, particularly in less affluent areas.
Average annual salary: $54,137 (Source: ZipRecruiter)
11) Marine biologist
Oceans and coral reefs play a pivotal role in Earth’s ecosystem, and marine biologists study the impact of natural and manmade changes to these areas of our world. They conduct research into the animals and plants that comprise marine life, and monitor trends to help educate society on ways to preserve, protect and conserve.
Pros: Chance to study unique ecosystems; contributing to conservation; travel opportunities.
Cons: Extensive and lengthy education; no guarantee of work if dependent on government/nonprofit funding.
Average annual salary: $53,938 (Source: Indeed)
12) Pet groomer
A pet groomer is involved in caring for the appearance of companion animals – most commonly, dogs and cats. Their responsibilities include washing, drying, trimming nails, removing matted hair, cleaning ears, and brushing teeth. Pet groomers may work inside a bespoke grooming salon, or alongside other pet professionals, such as within a veterinarian’s office or inside a big box pet store.
Pros: Encourages creativity; very hands-on with animals; opportunity for flexible hours depending on employment status.
Cons: Dealing with difficult or unruly pets; physically demanding; variable income.
Average annual salary: $56,564 (Source: Indeed)
13) Animal breeder
If you’re passionate about a particular dog breed or another type of animal, becoming an animal breeder may seem like a natural way to pursue that passion. It can also be lucrative; however, breeding animals brings its own risks. It can also contribute to overpopulation of animals in local communities, which leads to shelters overflowing and reaching capacity.
Pros: Improve health and temperament of animal breeds; rewarding to see new generations of a breed you are passionate about.
Cons: Potentially contributing to animal overpopulation; the need to follow extensive regulatory and legal guidelines, which can be time-consuming and expensive.
Average annual salary: $45,764 (ZipRecruiter)
14) Barn manager
Do you love horses? Becoming a barn manager will enable you to work closely with these incredible animals on a daily basis. You’ll be responsible for equine care (including feeding and cleaning stalls), supervising other members of staff, and keeping the facility in good condition.
Pros: Hands-on work with horses and livestock; rewarding line of work; can be less stressful than other jobs.
Cons: Physically demanding; long and irregular hours; management challenges, particularly if animals become sick or injured.
Average annual salary: $59,525 (Source: ZipRecruiter)
15) Bed bug detection dog handler
Dogs have powerful noses – so powerful that they can be used to detect bed bugs. Bed bug detection dogs are typically hired by building managers or hotels to determine if there is an infestation of bed bugs in their property.
Pros: Building a strong bond with your dog through this activity; unique and specialized work; work flexibility.
Cons: May be difficult to find enough clients to sustain as a full-time job; irregular hours.
Average annual salary: $37,440 (Source: ZipRecruiter)
16) Vocational tutor
If you have knowledge about a particular area of working with animals – for example, dog training or grooming – you may be able to gain work as a vocational tutor. Your experience can help younger people or those seeking a new career path to gain the skills they need to embark on a specific line of work. Incomes for vocational tutors will vary depending on the nature of your work.
Pros: Making a difference to students who are passionate about pursuing this career path; job satisfaction
Cons: The common challenges associated with teaching (workload, classroom management, grading assignments); limited pay in some situations, particularly if funded by nonprofits or other budget-limited organizations.
Average annual salary: $51,783 (Source: ZipRecruiter)