Do you consider yourself an animal lover, one who can’t stop watching wildlife documentaries? Do you dream about cute animals and their amazing skills? Then one or more of these professions is the career path for you! We’ve compiled a list of some great jobs for animal lovers, each of which requires a different type of schooling or training that you’ll need to go through in order to master each.
In this article we will take a look at several jobs with animals that can fulfill your dream of helping and taking care of the members of the great animal kingdom. There are tons of opportunities for you! In the city, among wildlife, National Parks, jungles, vast seas; in every corner in the planet there are people who are working every day to help some of the most unique animals in the world. We will give you some prospects of great jobs for animal lovers along with some insight on the annual salary that you can make through them while fulfilling your dream.
Veterinarian
Median Salary: $68,996
We will begin with the most obvious one. Being a veterinarian is a very good way to secure a great income while also contributing to the overall health and safety of animals in your community.
Surprisingly, veterinary school is arguably harder to get accepted into than medical school. Once you have graduated from veterinary school, you must also pass a timed 360 question test that will allow you to be registered and licensed in your area of practice. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, average salary for veterinarians right out of school is $62,424 for small animal practitioners and $64,744 for large animal practitioners. And if none of that works, you can try to become a famous veterinarian on Animal Planet.
Groomer
Median Salary: $29,332
Wherever you choose to work, you need good communication skills. Not only are you working with human clients who can be very attached to their pets, but you’ll also need to make the pets themselves feel comfortable while they’re being tended to.
Becoming a groomer is a great way for those who love animals to spend more time with them everyday. Those who are tenacious and business minded could really find great financial success when they embark on starting their own dog grooming company. And you get to create your own styles, and maybe even start trends. Imagine yourself creating the next big style for award winning pets!
Wildlife Photographer
Median Salary: $52,237
If you are an animal lover but also love art this is the job for you! Becoming a Wildlife Photographer can be a very fulfilling career for those who are both into animals and photography. It’s a tough choice, as you must be willing to travel for months at a time and work very hard once you get there.
Many shots must be taken after several hours, or even days, of waiting. For those who make a great name for themselves in the world of wildlife photography, a great salary could be had, as the salary really is dependent on how big their name gets.
If you happen to be interested in a career involving travel, here are some of our top choices for Jobs that allow you to travel. Read our final three choices of great jobs for animal lovers on the next pages.
Dog Walker
Median Salary: $34,804
The greatest thing about this job is that you can start early on. During summers as a kid, it’s a great way to spend time outside, getting a tan and being in touch with nature. You have to be very careful with the dogs you are taking care of however; don’t think its an easy job. You not only have to understand the dogs you are walking with, but also know their personalities, what they like and how to pair them up. If you develop good skills you can become a great walker, and the money is not bad.
By starting your own dog walking business and building a great client base, you will be able to have a rewarding job while spending time with many dogs throughout the day.
Wildlife Rehabilitator
Median Salary:: $30,400
Every day, injured, sick, and orphaned animals are left alone to fend for themselves in the wild. But thanks to the work of wildlife rehabilitators, animals that would otherwise have very little chance of surviving alone can recover and return to the wild, happy and healthy. A wildlife rehabilitator rescues and cares for these helpless animals, and returns them to their natural habitats once they’re strong enough to survive on their own.
From feeding an orphaned baby orangutan to keeping detailed records of each animal’s diet and feeding schedule, you do your part to make the world a better place—one animal at a time.
Zoologist
Median Salary: $45,000
As a zoologist, you’re a Scientist who studies animals. Specifically, your job is watching, researching, and caring for wildlife. Many zoologists work in zoos directly with zoo personnel, directing the care of the animals.
Other zoologists work solely on studying one species of animal, while others focus on mammals, bird, reptiles, and other species. For entry level positions, a zoologist will need a Bachelors Degree. For those who want to become researchers or professors, a Masters Degree will be required. So if you are into direct contact with animals or you’re more of an academic, this might be the job for you!
These are some great jobs for animal lovers, just some of the many available. The animal world is complex, and with complexity comes a variety of jobs that you can do. But overall what you need the most is love for animals and a passion for helping the world become a better place.