If you are a lover of animals, and you’re ready to get on to the field to study wildlife, take samples or even rescue injured animals leaving behind typical desk jobs, then a career in zoology will do you great good. Although job roles and titles tend to be dependent on the area of specialization, it’s very feasible to get a high-paying career in zoology.
Typically, in-depth knowledge in areas like zoology, animal sciences, and a lab and fieldwork can equip you for a career in the environmental, agricultural, and even pharmaceutical industries.
So this article is aimed at helping you discover all you need to know about careers in zoology, how to start them. We also listed out the high-paying careers in zoology for your perusal.
What is Zoology?
Zoology is the scientific study of the lifestyle of animals, this study includes their behavior, structure, physiology, classification, and distribution. Zoology is under the biological category of the sciences. You could simply say that zoology is the study of everything about animals.
So basically, a career in zoology would be related to anything concerning animals and their environments. It’s important to note that within the field of zoology, you could choose to remain in the wide span of study: the overall idea of zoology within biology.
A minimum of a bachelors degree is required to start a full career in zoology, higher levels of education abs experience are always added advantages.
Why Zoology?
Through studying animals humans have acquired better knowledge of how we function and communicate with the world around us.
Zoology undoubtedly wields huge influences on our world today through the scientific study of evolution, habitats, physiology, anatomy, behavior, and both the health of animals and humans alike. It involves diverse methods such as electron microscopy, molecular genetics, and field ecology.
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The continuous search for answers to our questions puts us in the position of being able to effect change, make better choices, and develop solutions for a healthier and stronger world.
Career Options in Zoology?
Zoology as a matter of fact has a broad spectrum of career paths, with the most stereotypical being the employee at a zoo who tends to and monitoring animals, maintaining environments, studying health and ecosystem habits. Factually gaining employment in an established zoo gives you on-site study and hands-on access to working with animals and their environments.
However, building upon the popular choices, wildlife centers, parks, and aquariums all are golden opportunities for a career in zoology. Moving beyond the stereotype, a career in zoology is just like several other science disciplines which a common career path can move to further research and on-field study.
How long does it take to acquire a zoology degree?
It typically takes about 4-years to gain a bachelor’s degree in Zoology, which is the basic level of zoologist education required to enter into the industry. Acquiring a Master’s degree will take another 2-years under normal circumstances and may also call for an extra 30-hours of practical, field-specific work. Some high-level positions even require a PhD to land the job.
What is the average salary of a career in Zoology?
Just like most another career path under a certain industry, salaries for zoologists differs greatly and is dependent on many factors such as expertise level, degrees, location, and specific area of employment.
The lowest level which are fresh graduates with bachelor’s degree employed into the workforce at an entry level position has a salary ranging from $30,000 to $45,000 (again, depending on factors listed above).
Graduate programs that are higher levels of education have a salary range starting around $50,000, while the combination of advanced levels of study and extensive experience in the aspired field place the largest salaries of zoologists within the range of $90,000 and up.
Who are the Major Employers For Zoologists?
As earlier stated, your location influences the salary and type of career path you should choose in zoology, The federal abs state governments are the largest employers of zoologists.
Government employment centers on national parks and wildlife refuges, preserves, national and international studies, and research foundations, agencies like the Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency all offer employment to zoologists.
It’s important to note that research companies also hire zoologists to finish studies and tests to see the effects of how new products and operations would affect nature and animal life.
What are the Skills required for a career in zoology?
Basically studying zoology usually equip you with specialist knowledge in areas like ecology, animal biology, conservation, and ethology.
So, a strong skill set is needed to accomplish the duties assigned to you as a zoologist in your chosen career path. Also, strong mathematical skills are an advantage. One should also be techie, much of zoology needs calculations and input of data, as well as learning about the usage of new and improved equipments and methods to study animals and environments while causing the least amount of disturbance.
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A zoologist should be physically strong, as sometimes sheer strength is required when completing research and studies on sites, and also, gathering information sometimes takes long, strenuous periods of time and effort.
You also need a strong set of transferable skills, which includes:
- Data-handling skills
- Analytical skills
- Written communication skills
- Good oral communication and presentation skills.
- Good understanding of information technology
- Project management skills
- A good team player that can also function independently.
High paying careers in Zoology
If you’re more of an animal lover, who possesses all the necessary skills, we may have found your calling. These carefully selected high-paying careers we list from the highest to the lowest paying here are worth giving a shot.
| High paying careers in Zoology | Median Salary |
| Veterinarians | The median yearly salary of a veterinarian is: $88,490. |
| Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers | The Median annual pay for a agricultural manager is: $69,620 |
| Animal scientists | The Median annual pay for an animal scientist is: $60,760 |
| Wildlife Biologists/Zoologists | The Median annual pay for a wildlife biologist is: $59,680. |
| Biology Teachers | The Median annual pay for a biology teacher is: $57,200. |
| Microbiologists | The Median annual pay for a microbiologist is: $57,000. |
| Herpetologists | The Median annual pay for herpetologists is: $57,000. |
| Fish and game wardens | The Median annual pay for fish and game wardens is: $56,410 |
| Ecologists | The Median annual pay for ecologists are is: $55,000. |
| Research Assistants | The Median annual pay for research assistants is: $49,000. |
| Zoo Curators | he Median annual pay for zoo curators is: $48,500. |
| Marine Mammal Trainers | The Median annual pay for marine mammal trainers is: $42,000. |