Is it possible to do something that you love, and make money doing it? Most definitely it is if you love working with animals! There happens to be a number of jobs where you can earn decent money, and they all have to do with working, playing, or studying animals. This brief article gives you a summary of the Top 5 most popular jobs with animals, how much you get paid doing them, and whether your personality characteristics fit the job.
Veterinarian:
A Doctor that treats animals (usually dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rabbits, rats, mice, and other “pocket pets”).
- Vet Technician – $ 18,500 to $40,000
- Doctors of veterinary medicine (DVM) average government – $54,000
- DMV Owner – average $79,600
- DMV practice employee – average $38,700
* This career is great for you if: You get along with people and animals, can work by yourself and aren’t afraid of hard work, like solving puzzles and problems, love science and have excellent study habits, and have an understanding of animal behavior.
Pet Sitter & Exerciser Entrepreneur:
Part time to full time pet walking and overnight care. Usually entails one or more of morning, afternoon, or evening visits, as well as trips to the vet, groomer, and/or trainer. Feedings, playing, exercising, and occasionally health care treatments.
- Single Person – $30,000 to $45,000 per year
- Two people – $60,000 to $90,000 per year
- Large Business – $100,000 or more
* This career is great for you if: You are trustworthy and responsible, you have a good work ethic and can be self motivated, love playing and exercising (especially with pets), understand good customer service, and have flexible work hours.
Dog Trainer:
Professional in Dog Behavior and Motivation. Can train dogs’ obedience as well as more detailed tricks.
- Hired trainers entry level – minimum wage
- With experience – $25,000 to $50,00
- Run Own Business – Unlimited
* This career is great for you if: You have a lot of patience for not only dogs, but their owners, are self-motivated, and like working with people as much as you like working with dogs.
Exotic Animal Trainer:
Trains various animals for movies, TV, theme parks, and more. Specialties could be: dogs, cats, rodents, birds, horses, monkeys, lions, tigers, dolphins, other sea life and other mammals.
- Starting – $30 hour
- Experienced – $25,000 to $50,000
* This career is great for you if: You are not afraid of wild animal, like to travel, have the stamina for tedious and long working hours, and love training animals.
Zoologist and Wildlife Management:
Wildlife Ecologists and Zoologists study plants and animals and try to understand how they can thrive in a particular environment to try and help them. Endangered species and conservation are highlighted.
- Bachelor’s degree entry level – $18,000- $21,000 a year
- With experience – $35,000 – $75,000 a year
* This career is great for you if: You like to work outdoors, want to preserve the earth and its diversity, are patient, and can work with people or by yourself for long hours.
