5 rewarding careers in animal health care (plus job-hunting tips)
Animal health care refers to treatments and services for ensuring the well-being of animals. Employment in this subsector often revolves around jobs in veterinary medicine, though veterinary careers aren't the only path available. Whether you're interested in different types of veterinary jobs or another profession centered around animal welfare, consider one of these five rewarding jobs about animals, along with the requirements and job outlook for each one.
Veterinarian
Average salary: $103,260 per year
Veterinary medicine is the most common field within the animal healthcare subsector. Most veterinarians work with domestic animals, such as cats and dogs. However, many practitioners also treat less common pets, such as birds, rabbits, mice, and reptiles, and some specialize in caring for livestock or exotic wildlife. In all cases, the job involves some common responsibilities, including the following:
- Examining animal patients
- Treating illnesses and injuries
- Performing surgeries
- Communicating home care instructions to human caretakers
Requirements to become a veterinarian
You typically need at least the following to become a veterinarian:
- Undergraduate degree in biology or animal science
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree
- One to three years of residency or internships for certain specializations
- Veterinary license
Job outlook for veterinarians
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects vet careers will grow by 20% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the 3% growth for all occupations. The projected growth is due to greater pet-related spending among consumers, a growing pet population, and a broader range of treatment options for today's pets.
Animal scientist
Average salary: $74,940 per year
Animal science is a branch of agricultural and food science, which centers on improving the safety and efficiency of food production and supply. Animal scientists study animal genetics, growth and development, illness, and nutrition. Their work is often crucial for lowering death rates and improving the overall health of domestic farm animals. Those specializing in nutrition might also help develop animal food products that promote good health.
"Employment in [the animal health care] subsector often revolves around jobs in veterinary medicine, though veterinary careers aren't the only path available."
Requirements to become an animal scientist
The requirements to become an animal scientist may vary depending on one's area of specialization, but they generally include the following:
- Undergraduate degree in a related discipline, such as agricultural science, biology, or chemistry
- Master's, professional, or doctoral degree in agricultural and food sciences (may include a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree)
In addition to the above, earning professional certification, such as from the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, can be beneficial.
Job outlook for animal scientists
The BLS expects the animal science field to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, twice the average growth for all occupations. This growth may result from addressing various agricultural challenges, including pests, pathogens, and climate conditions that may harm animal life.
Veterinary technician/technologist
Average salary: $38,240 per year
Think of veterinary technicians and technologists as the nurses of the animal health care industry. Just as human nurses assist physicians, veterinary techs support veterinarians. Their duties include restraining animals during consultations, collecting samples, assisting with radiographs, and preparing patients for surgery. They may also support pet owners through their grief when an animal is sick or passes away.
Requirements to become a veterinary technician/technologist
Though technicians and technologists fulfill similar duties, they have different education requirements. A veterinary technician must complete a two-year associate degree in veterinary technology from a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. In contrast, veterinary technologists undertake a four-year bachelor's degree in veterinary technology.
One commonality between the roles is credentialing. Most veterinary technicians and technologists must pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination, a credentialing assessment offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. It's a computer-based test administered during three exam windows per year. You have three hours to complete 170 multiple-choice questions, including 20 unscored pilot questions. The minimum passing score is 425 out of 800.
Job outlook for veterinary technicians/technologists
The BLS expects the veterinary tech profession to grow 21% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth expectancy is largely due to the rising number of households with pets and the increased money their human companions are willing to spend for their care.
Veterinary assistant
Average salary: $34,740 per year
Veterinary assistants help care for domestic and exotic animals in veterinary clinics and hospitals. They may also work in laboratories, where they're more commonly known as laboratory animal caretakers. They learn on the job and don't have as many of the medical duties of veterinary technicians and technologists. Instead, they complete simple tasks, such as feeding patients, administering prescribed medications, and monitoring animals after treatments.
Requirements to become a veterinary assistant
Veterinary assistants typically only need a high school diploma to get a foot in the door. Certifications are available and can improve one's candidacy for an assistantship. Veterinary assistants might consider the Approved Veterinary Assistant certification the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America offers, while laboratory animal caretakers may choose one of the certifications from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science.
Job outlook for veterinary assistants
The job outlook for veterinary assistants is excellent, with the BLS projecting 20% growth from 2022 to 2032. This projection correlates with the rising demand for veterinary procedures.
Pet Groomer
Average salary: $31,340 per year
You may not think of pet grooming as part of animal health care, but it's essential for preventing pests and maintaining good hygiene, which can contribute to managing health conditions. In addition to standard grooming tasks such as bathing, brushing, and nail clipping — which are essential for preventing disease and joint pain from an irregular gait — pet groomers also commonly inspect animals for abnormalities such as lumps, lesions, and inflammation, helping with the early detection of potentially serious health concerns.
Requirements to become a pet groomer
Pet groomers typically have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Though not a requirement, completing a program at a pet grooming school can improve one's odds of landing a grooming position. Training is a common requirement but typically takes place on the job.
Job outlook for pet groomers
The BLS classifies pet groomers as animal care and service workers and projects the entire field to grow 16% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average. The reasoning behind the projected growth is that more households now include companion animals, who are vital parts of the families they live with. Pet owners are more willing to pay for care services such as grooming than in the past.
When you're ready to look for a job in animal health care, make it easier on yourself by making yourself known to employers. Begin by uploading a searchable profile to CareerBuilder that lets companies find you. That way, the job hunt becomes a two-way process, with employers doing part of the work for you.
Tips for finding a job in animal health care
The jobs we've discussed have various salary expectations and requirements. To choose the right career for you, consider the following tips:
- Determine your salary needs: You may be able to earn above the average with some of the lower-paying roles, but if you need to earn more money, you may want to go for a more direct medical or scientific profession.
- Reflect on your current means and resources: Becoming a veterinarian or animal scientist requires years of education and training. A tech or assistant role might be better for you if you have limited financial and time resources.
- Lean on your preferences: If you're interested in being a veterinary assistant but don't work well in high-pressure environments, a job as a laboratory animal caretaker may be a better fit.
- Highlight your transferable skills: No matter what your chosen animal health care profession is, you'll need competencies such as good communication, teamwork, and organization.
More tips about finding a job working with animals
Not all jobs related to animal health care require an undergraduate or graduate degree. For some, all you need for entry is a high school diploma.
Animal lovers can also find rewarding work outside of health care in places like zoos, aquariums, and research institutions.
Be ready for the interview when you get a callback from a potential employer: make sure you're familiar with the different interview formats and what to expect from them.
