← Back to all jobs
Zookeeper
Outdoor & AdventureYou take care of exotic animals that didn't choose to live in a zoo, which means you're part caretaker, part behaviorist, part janitor, and part public educator. You'll clean enclosures, prepare specialized diets, and bond with animals that are infinitely more interesting than most of the visitors asking you dumb questions through the glass.
Salary Range
Low
$26k
Median
$38k
High
$55k
10-Year Growth
average
US Workers
15K
Education
Bachelor's in Zoology, Biology, or Animal Science + internships (lots of them)
Environment
outdoor
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸Animal husbandry and species-specific care protocols
- ▸Diet preparation and nutritional management
- ▸Enrichment program design and implementation
- ▸Animal behavior observation and record-keeping
- ▸Enclosure maintenance and exhibit design input
- ▸Chemical immobilization and restraint assistance
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Patience with animals
- ▸Physical stamina
- ▸Attention to behavioral changes
- ▸Public education and interpretation
- ▸Teamwork
What you'll actually do
- 01Clean up animal waste from creatures that eat better than you do
- 02Prepare specialized diets — yes, the giraffe gets organic produce and you ate gas station sushi for lunch
- 03Monitor animal behavior for signs of illness, stress, or boredom and design enrichment activities
- 04Explain to visitors that no, the tiger is not 'friendly' just because it's lying down
- 05Participate in breeding programs for endangered species — conservation is the real mission
- 06Train animals for voluntary medical procedures so the vet doesn't need to sedate them every time
Related Shifts
Think this could be you?
Take the Career DNA Quiz to see if this role fits your personality.
Take the Quiz