Animal Care and Service Workers

How to become an Animal Caretaker

Official title: Animal Caretakers

Also called: Animal Care Giver (ACG), Aquarist, Dog Bather, Dog Groomer, Groomer, Kennel Attendant, Kennel Technician (Kennel Tech), Pet Groomer, Pet Stylist, Zookeeper

Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks.

Main tasks

Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.
Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles.
Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.
Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.

How to become one

Animal care and service workers typically have a high school diploma or equivalent and learn the occupation on the job. Many employers prefer to hire candidates who have experience working with animals.

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Horseshoer.
Apprenticeship: Pet Groomer.
Licence: A licence is required in 18 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $35,360 a year The middle half earn $29,820 to $40,050.
About 365,300 people work in this job now, and about 409,400 are projected by 2035. (+12.1%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Related jobs

Animal Trainers

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Animal Caretaker?

How much does an Animal Caretaker earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $35,360 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $29,820 to $40,050.

Is an Animal Caretaker a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 12% by 2035, from about 365,300 to about 409,400 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Animal Caretaker?

Not always. 27% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Horseshoer.

Will AI change the work of an Animal Caretaker?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.