What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Animal Caretakers in the U.S. earn more than $35,360 a year — the middle 80% land between $27,250 and $50,060. About 266,910 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Animal Caretakers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Service and sales workers earn about ₹15,575 a month on average — around ₹1.9 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$35,360typical pay / year
266,910people in this work
$50,060+top 10% earn
₹1.9 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Care3
Feed and water animals
+Deliver morning diets and fresh water to the meerkat group, the pair of red pandas, and the juvenile…
Feed and water animals
+Deliver morning diets and fresh water to the meerkat group, the pair of red pandas, and the juvenile capuchins, confirm portion sizes on the feeding sheet, note any refusals, and report weight or appetite concerns to Dr. Morales before noon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Socialize and groom animals
+Spend the afternoon socialising the shelter dogs and grooming the long-haired rabbits: 20 minutes of leash…
Socialize and groom animals
+Spend the afternoon socialising the shelter dogs and grooming the long-haired rabbits: 20 minutes of leash walks and enrichment per dog, brush and nail check for each rabbit, note behaviour changes or skin issues on the animal records, and flag any animals needing vet follow-up.
The tools that do the workDaySmart Software 123Petjob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Perform animal husbandry duties (feeding, watering, medicating, vaccinating)
+Complete the husbandry round: administer morning meds to the snow leopard and the tortoise per treatment…
Perform animal husbandry duties (feeding, watering, medicating, vaccinating)
+Complete the husbandry round: administer morning meds to the snow leopard and the tortoise per treatment chart, top up water and electrolytes for the juveniles, log batch numbers and dosages on the medical log, and notify Dr. Morales immediately if an animal resists medication.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Fixing1
Clean animal areas and enclosures
+Deep-clean the otter pool and service the reptile house enclosures today: remove and disinfect substrates,…
Clean animal areas and enclosures
+Deep-clean the otter pool and service the reptile house enclosures today: remove and disinfect substrates, replace bedding, clear enrichment items for sanitising, log completed tasks and any enclosure damage on the cleaning log, and notify Facilities if repairs needed.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Move1
Assist with animal transportation
+Prepare the transport crates, load the two adult macaws and the injured fox for the 3pm transfer to Wildlife…
Assist with animal transportation
+Prepare the transport crates, load the two adult macaws and the injured fox for the 3pm transfer to Wildlife Rescue, check all restraint and safety gear, record vehicle and handler names on the transport form, and confirm arrival with the receiving tech on arrival.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Analysing1
Educate visitors about animals
+Lead the 11am visitor talk at the aviary: introduce the hornbill and owls, explain their diets and…
Educate visitors about animals
+Lead the 11am visitor talk at the aviary: introduce the hornbill and owls, explain their diets and conservation status, answer visitor questions, hand out the seasonal factsheet, and record visitor feedback and headcount on today's outreach log.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOjob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
The daily work18
Answer questions
+Answer Kayla from the education team and the volunteer who emailed about the orphaned red fox: confirm…
Answer questions
+Answer Kayla from the education team and the volunteer who emailed about the orphaned red fox: confirm feeding schedule, note the weight and any injuries, explain the enclosure access rules and transport availability for tomorrow, and reply by 5pm so they can prep supplies.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookESCO
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Monitor animal health and behavior
+Walk each enclosure at 0800 and 1600, note appetite, mobility, social interactions and any abnormal signs in…
Monitor animal health and behavior
+Walk each enclosure at 0800 and 1600, note appetite, mobility, social interactions and any abnormal signs in the daily health log, photograph wounds or odd behavior, and flag anything needing vet review before the afternoon feeding.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Handle animals with care and safety protocols
+Move through the mammal and aviary rounds with catch nets and slip leads ready, calm each animal before…
Handle animals with care and safety protocols
+Move through the mammal and aviary rounds with catch nets and slip leads ready, calm each animal before contact, follow two-staff handling for large species, record any escape or incident immediately and return animals to secure holding after transfer.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Medicate animals as directed
+Administer morning medications exactly as prescribed, confirm dose and route on the treatment sheet, check…
Medicate animals as directed
+Administer morning medications exactly as prescribed, confirm dose and route on the treatment sheet, check animal ID bracelet, log time and any reactions, and alert the veterinarian immediately if there is vomiting, collapse, or unexpected behavior.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Clean the exhibits
+Strip and disinfect exhibit surfaces after public hours, remove feces and food waste, replace bedding, ensure…
Clean the exhibits
+Strip and disinfect exhibit surfaces after public hours, remove feces and food waste, replace bedding, ensure drains are clear, ventilate for thirty minutes, then mark the enclosure as cleaned in the maintenance log before animals return.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOjob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Report possible health problems
+If you see lethargy, wounds, abnormal droppings or appetite loss, photograph the sign, take vitals if safe,…
Report possible health problems
+If you see lethargy, wounds, abnormal droppings or appetite loss, photograph the sign, take vitals if safe, write a short incident note with enclosure and time, and send it to the senior keeper and on-call vet for assessment within the hour.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookESCOjob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
+Stand at the main viewing platform from 1100–1300, answer guests’ questions about species, diet and breeding…
Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
+Stand at the main viewing platform from 1100–1300, answer guests’ questions about species, diet and breeding with accurate examples, correct misconceptions politely, and hand out the printed feeding schedule and talk times when relevant.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Assess animal temperament
+Assess the temperaments of the new capuchin, three juvenile macaws, and the elderly tortoise today by…
Assess animal temperament
+Assess the temperaments of the new capuchin, three juvenile macaws, and the elderly tortoise today by conducting five-minute one-on-one observations, noting flight or fight responses, food motivation, and human-directed behaviors, then flag any animals needing isolation.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Administer medications and treatments
+Administer morning medications to the diabetic wallaby and topical treatment to the rescued fox, confirm…
Administer medications and treatments
+Administer morning medications to the diabetic wallaby and topical treatment to the rescued fox, confirm doses against their treatment cards, record administration time and staff initials, and report any adverse reactions to the veterinarian immediately.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Maintain farm records and documentation
+Update the farm records for feed, vaccinations, and births for the past week: reconcile feed deliveries…
Maintain farm records and documentation
+Update the farm records for feed, vaccinations, and births for the past week: reconcile feed deliveries against usage, enter vaccination dates and batch numbers, and produce a weekly summary for the manager by close of day Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Coordinate with personnel and regulatory agencies
+Coordinate with county animal control and the facility's senior keeper about the stray boar incident:…
Coordinate with personnel and regulatory agencies
+Coordinate with county animal control and the facility's senior keeper about the stray boar incident: summarize injuries, transport needs, permit numbers, and proposed quarantine enclosure, then request their on-site inspection by Tuesday morning.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Develop and adhere to operational budgets
+Build next quarter's operational budget for feed, bedding, and veterinary supplies, using last quarter's…
Develop and adhere to operational budgets
+Build next quarter's operational budget for feed, bedding, and veterinary supplies, using last quarter's spend patterns, propose two cost-saving options, and circulate the draft to the head keeper and finance lead for review by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Conduct guided tours
+Run the 45-minute guided tour this Saturday at 11am for twenty guests: include the juvenile primate house,…
Conduct guided tours
+Run the 45-minute guided tour this Saturday at 11am for twenty guests: include the juvenile primate house, discuss nutrition and welfare practices, enforce viewing distances, and collect feedback forms at the exit for the education coordinator.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointESCO
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Discuss with clients their pets' grooming needs.
+Sit with the owner, review the pet's coat condition and lifestyle, recommend a grooming plan including…
Discuss with clients their pets' grooming needs.
+Sit with the owner, review the pet's coat condition and lifestyle, recommend a grooming plan including frequency, clip or breed-specific options, note any skin or behavior concerns, agree a price and preferred date, then add the client and booking to the grooming list.
The tools that do the workGroom ProO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Clean and disinfect surgical equipment.
+Follow sterilisation checklist: dismantle instruments, scrub with detergent, rinse, inspect for damage, run…
Clean and disinfect surgical equipment.
+Follow sterilisation checklist: dismantle instruments, scrub with detergent, rinse, inspect for damage, run through the approved disinfectant soak time, dry, wrap and place in the steriliser cycle, then log steriliser load number and operator initials in the instrument log.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Find homes for stray or unwanted animals.
+Prepare intake summary for each stray: photograph, record temperament, health notes and microchip check,…
Find homes for stray or unwanted animals.
+Prepare intake summary for each stray: photograph, record temperament, health notes and microchip check, draft an adoption profile with history and needs, post the profile to our rehoming board and share to next-day adoption email list, then schedule meet-and-greets for promising applicants.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Adjust controls to regulate specified temperature and humidity of animal quarters, nurseries, or exhibit areas.
+Check current temperature and humidity logs for the otter nursery, adjust heaters or humidifiers to hit 22°C…
Adjust controls to regulate specified temperature and humidity of animal quarters, nurseries, or exhibit areas.
+Check current temperature and humidity logs for the otter nursery, adjust heaters or humidifiers to hit 22°C and 60% RH, observe the animals for five minutes for stress signs, and log the change and reason on the environmental control sheet.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Sell pet food and supplies.
+Assist the customer at the counter, assess pet diet needs and budget, recommend specific food and supplies,…
Sell pet food and supplies.
+Assist the customer at the counter, assess pet diet needs and budget, recommend specific food and supplies, ring the sale and process payment, bag items with feeding instructions, and add a three-month reminder for reorder to the client record.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft AccessO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Says who?
These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.
Activities this job lives in
The human activities behind the tasks — each with its honest AI ceiling.
The logs, files & records this job keeps
Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
The LLOS Work Atlas is the world's largest evidenced task library — a map of human work, with a ready prompt behind every task. 1,774 careers · every task named by the sources that witnessed it — O*NET, ESCO, real job descriptions, Wikipedia — and the deepest tasks by several at once. And it is honest about limits: where AI cannot help, the map says so.
The rest of the map
Same library, five ways in.
Copyright © LLOS.ai · 2026 — original pedagogy, voice, and design — all rights reserved.
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses