Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
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. PayThe median annual wage for animal caretakers was $35,360 in May 2025.The median annual wage for animal trainers was $39,990 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of animal care and service workers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 69,400 openings for animal care and service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for animal care and service workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of animal care and service workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about animal care and service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for animal caretakers was $35,360 in May 2025.The median annual wage for animal trainers was $39,990 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of animal care and service workers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 69,400 openings for animal care and service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for animal care and service workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of animal care and service workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about animal care and service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of animal care and service workers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 69,400 openings for animal care and service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for animal care and service workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of animal care and service workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about animal care and service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Animal care and service workers attend to or train animals.
Work Environment
Animal care and service workers are employed in a variety of settings, including kennels, zoos, stables, animal shelters, pet stores, veterinary clinics, and aquariums. Some parts of the job may be physically or emotionally demanding, and workers risk injury when caring for animals.
How to Become an Animal Care and Service Worker
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.
Pay
The median annual wage for animal caretakers was $35,360 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for animal trainers was $39,990 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of animal care and service workers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 69,400 openings for animal care and service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for animal care and service workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of animal care and service workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about animal care and service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Animal care and service workers are employed in a variety of settings, including kennels, zoos, stables, animal shelters, pet stores, veterinary clinics, and aquariums. Some parts of the job may be physically or emotionally demanding, and workers risk injury when caring for animals.
How to Become an Animal Care and Service Worker
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.
Pay
The median annual wage for animal caretakers was $35,360 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for animal trainers was $39,990 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of animal care and service workers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 69,400 openings for animal care and service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for animal care and service workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of animal care and service workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about animal care and service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for animal care and service workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of animal care and service workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about animal care and service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about animal care and service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.