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Animal Caretakers

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)	Projected Growth (2024-2034)
National Statistics	$33470	74600	12.1%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$33470

Median Wage (USD, 2024)

74600

Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)

12.1%

Projected Growth (2024-2034)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Up to and including 1 month

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Detailed Work Activities

Clean facilities or work areas.
Perform housekeeping duties.
Maintain facilities.
Confer with clients to discuss treatment plans or progress.
Provide care for animals.
Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.
Care for animals.
Schedule appointments.
Perform administrative or clerical tasks.
Monitor health or behavior of people or animals.
Respond to customer inquiries.
Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
Document client health or progress.
Maintain supply or equipment inventories.
Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
Prepare foods or meals.
Clean tools or equipment.
Discuss service options or needs with clients.
Monitor patron activities to identify problems or potential problems.
Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
Train animals.
Sell products or services.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

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.
Answer telephones and schedule appointments.
Advise pet owners on how to care for their pets' health.
Perform animal grooming duties, such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears.
Observe and caution children petting and feeding animals in designated areas to ensure the safety of humans and animals.
Clean and disinfect surgical equipment.
Find homes for stray or unwanted animals.
Discuss with clients their pets' grooming needs.
Transfer animals between enclosures to facilitate breeding, birthing, shipping, or rearrangement of exhibits.
Adjust controls to regulate specified temperature and humidity of animal quarters, nurseries, or exhibit areas.
Anesthetize and inoculate animals, according to instructions.
Install, maintain, and repair animal care facility equipment, such as infrared lights, feeding devices, and cages.
Train animals to perform certain tasks.
Order, unload, and store feed and supplies.
Sell pet food and supplies.

Work Styles

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Innovation

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Initiative

Adaptability

Self-Confidence

Perseverance

Leadership Orientation

Humility

Sincerity

Empathy

Cooperation

Optimism

Social Orientation

Cautiousness

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Integrity

Stress Tolerance

Self-Control

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 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. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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