How much does an average zoo keeper make?

Question

I was just wondering since I've been considering going back to college to get my bachelors in zoology.

Answer 1

It really depends on what zoo you work for.  Zoos in big cities tend to pay more, but many zoos only pay their keepers minimum wage.  Check out his webiste for actual job openings..some also have wage info:

http://www.aza.org/JobListings/

Answer 2

a BACHELOR'S!!!!

get your master's in a specific field and starting pay is around 24-30K

science fields aren't for people who want to get rich.. if you know what i mean...

Answer 3

It will vary according to what country you're in and the particular zoo in question, but generally speaking a zookeeper's pay is quite poor. I used to be a zookeeper and earned minimum wage. You are required to work weekends and public holidays without the additional pay you might expect in other jobs for working these days, and you may not be paid at all for any overtime worked - in the zoo I worked at, you were paid only between 8am and 5pm, even if you arrived at 6.30am and didn't leave until 8pm.

Incidentally, you do not require a degree to get a job as a zookeeper. Experience with animals and the ability to work hard are considered more important than higher-level education (my boss told me he's had people come in with degrees who don't know which end an elephant craps out of!). Having a degree does not guarantee you will get the job, and not having one does not mean you won't get the job.

Answer 4

it depends on where you work.

if you work at a zoo that isn't a huge deal,

you'll have a full time job,

and get about 50,000 a year.

but if you work in a place such as the San Diego Zoo,

you'll have a part time job, (most of the time)

and you'll get about 30,000 a year.