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A Zookeeper Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Houston Zoo

Zookeeper III, Elephants

Houston, TX · On-site

Under the direction of a Zoo Supervisor, the Zookeeper is responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations associated with the husbandry of the animals and the maintenance of animal enclosures ...

houstonzoo

Zookeeper III, Elephants

Houston, TX

Under the direction of a Zoo Supervisor, the Zookeeper is responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations associated with the husbandry of the animals and the maintenance of animal enclosures ...

houstonzoo

Zookeeper III, Elephants

Houston, TX

Under the direction of a Zoo Supervisor, the Zookeeper is responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations associated with the husbandry of the animals and the maintenance of animal enclosures ...

Zoo New England

Part- Time Zookeeper

Boston, MA · On-site

Assists Curators, zoo veterinarian and veterinary staff in capture and restraint of zoo specimens ... Carries a two-way radio as assigned and handles it responsibly Assists in department record-keeping ...

Great Plains Zoo

Zookeeper (Ungulate)

Sioux Falls, SD · On-site

$18/hr

Join us at the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium as a member of our Ungulate team! Job Summary Zookeepers are responsible for the specialized work involving all the health and wellbeing of native and ...

City of Bloomington Illinois

Zookeeper

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$50K/yr

Chair or sit as a member of various zoo committees as assigned. Participate in the development and performance of keeper training classes for interns and staff. Train and mentor Seasonal Zookeepers ...

New

City of Bloomington, IL

Zookeeper

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$50K/yr

Serve as a member of the MPZ Animal Emergency Response Team (weapons team is voluntary). * Adhere to and support all zoo policies and procedures. Typical Qualifications General Skill Levels:

Great Plains Zoo

Zookeeper (Ungulate)

Sioux Falls, SD · On-site

Join us at the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium as a member of our Ungulate team! Job Summary Zookeepers are responsible for the specialized work involving all the health and wellbeing of native and ...

Houston Zoo

Zookeeper III, Hoofstock

Houston, TX · On-site

A successful candidate for this position is motivated, energetic, and a team oriented individual with good problem solving, written/oral communication, and organizational/interpersonal skills. This ...

Zoo New England

Temporary Zookeeper

Boston, MA · On-site

Contributes to a positive guest experience through guest interactions, answering questions ... zoo guests. Removes snow to provide access for staff and animals. Identifies larger needs and ...

Zoo New England

Temporary Zookeeper

Boston, MA · On-site

$19.52/hr

Contributes to a positive guest experience through guest interactions, answering questions ... zoo guests. Removes snow to provide access for staff and animals. Identifies larger needs and ...

houstonzoo

Zookeeper III, Hoofstock

Houston, TX

A successful candidate for this position is motivated, energetic, and a team oriented individual ... Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife. Job Duties and ...

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How much do a zookeeper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for a zookeeper in the United States is $19.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Do zookeepers make a lot of money?

Zookeepers typically earn a moderate salary that varies by experience, location, and employer. According to industry data, the median annual wage for zookeepers is around $30,000 to $40,000, with higher earnings possible for those with advanced skills or supervisory roles. Many zookeepers also benefit from benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

How much do you get paid for a zookeeper?

Zookeepers typically earn an average annual salary of around $30,000 to $40,000, depending on experience, location, and the institution. Entry-level positions may pay less, while experienced zookeepers or those working in specialized environments can earn higher wages. Certifications in animal care and relevant skills can also influence salary levels.

Is it hard to get a job as a zookeeper?

Getting a job as a zookeeper can be competitive, as it often requires relevant education such as a degree in biology, zoology, or animal science, along with hands-on experience through internships or volunteering. Employers typically look for strong animal handling skills, knowledge of safety protocols, and a passion for animal care, which can make entry-level positions challenging to secure without proper qualifications. The job also involves irregular hours and physical work, which applicants should be prepared for.

What jobs does a zookeeper do?

A zookeeper is responsible for caring for animals in zoos or aquariums, which includes feeding, cleaning enclosures, monitoring animal health, and providing enrichment activities. They also observe animal behavior, assist with breeding programs, and maintain safety standards, often working with specialized tools and following safety protocols. Strong knowledge of animal biology and sometimes certifications in animal care are important for the role.
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A Zookeeper jobs near you
Infographic showing various A Zookeeper job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,251 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

Zookeeper III, Elephants

Houston Zoo

Houston, TX • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 6 days ago

Houston Zoo rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 37 rated wildlife parks and zoos

Job description

Under the direction of a Zoo Supervisor, the Zookeeper is responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations associated with the husbandry of the animals and the maintenance of animal enclosures within a specified Houston Zoo animal program. This position will coordinate all program objectives in addition to day-to-day husbandry and enclosure maintenance. Members of the Aquarium and Sea Lion/Penguin team will need to be active members on the dive team to do routine maintenance and cleaning of the aquatic environments, following all dive protocols.
Our Mission: Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.
Our Vision: Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
  • Carries out all aspects of the daily care of assigned animals including cleaning, feeding, exhibit maintenance, general upkeep of support facilities.
  • Maintains clean and organized exhibits, holding areas, service areas and equipment.
  • Prepares and feeds appropriate diets as per established feeding practices and diet sheets.
  • Administers prescribed medications, supplements, or treatments under the guidance of the veterinary and supervisory staff.
  • Records and reports any abnormal animal health or behavioral issues to the Zoo Supervisor.
  • Maintains daily reports, logs, training and enrichment records, research, or veterinary records, as appropriate and according to established guidelines; requires basic skills with TRACKS and Microsoft Office software applications.
  • Understands and applies a practical understanding of operant conditioning as it relates to the daily management of species under his/her care.
  • Understands and applies the basic principles of animal enrichment as part of the daily management of species under his/her care.
  • Maintains clean and organized exhibits, equipment, and keeper areas.
  • As appropriate, maintains water quality through filtration, balance of chemical elements, and sanitation methods for aquatic or semi-aquatic animal species.
  • As appropriate, maintains live exhibit plantings to enhance exhibit aesthetics; eliminates weeds and toxic plants from animal enclosures.
  • In conjunction with the Zoo's pest control officer, may assist in pest control using exclusion or traps.
  • Identifies potential maintenance or safety issues and reports them to the Zoo Supervisor.
  • Participates in keeper chats, tours, animal presentations or demonstrations, and/or other public interactions as requested by the Zoo Supervisor.
  • May assist with departmental research projects, conservation, AZA, or other industry activities as directed/approve by the Zoo Supervisor or Curator; provides support for the Zoo projects.
  • Exhibits good teamwork and communication skills both within the home team and when working with other teams or departments.
  • May be required to safely operate a motor vehicle.
  • Demonstrates proficiency in all duties and all assigned work areas within a specified timeframe.
  • Serves as a point of contact for area staff, veterinarians, Facilities staff, and/or other departments in the absence of a Zoo Supervisor.
  • Assists with training, mentoring, and may oversee and direct activities of interns, volunteers, and other area Keepers.
  • Assists Zoo Supervisors in the oversight of team projects.
  • Assists in the development and implementation of area standard operating guidelines.
  • Assumes select supervisory duties in the absence of Zoo Supervisors.
  • Serves as a positive role model for interns, volunteers, and other keepers and staff.
  • Demonstrates a clear understanding of the roles AZA zoos play in conservation and saving animals in the wild.
  • Actively pursues feedback and other resources to improve leadership skills and helps to improve such skills in other team members.
  • Contributes to saving animals in the wild through: reduction of waste, water and energy use and inspiring guests and staff to take wildlife protecting actions
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience
  • Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) from four-year college or university in zoology, biology, animal husbandry or a related field.
  • Experience and education may be considered equivalent at the rate of six months of experience per 15 hours of college level credit, up to 60 hours.
  • A certificate of completion from an acceptable animal care program may be substituted for a Bachelor's degree.
  • Six years of experience in animal care at an AZA or equivalent facility, gained through employment or internships.
  • Experience with basic carpentry and mechanical skills.
  • Must have or be able to obtain a valid Texas driver's license.

ABOUT HOUSTON ZOO
The Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and, yes, even education! There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests. We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild. Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Disclaimer
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as a complete inventory of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an at-will basis.
Benefits
Full-time, regular positions are offered the following benefits.
  • Medical and Prescription Drug
  • Vision
  • Dental
  • Basic Life AD&D (100% Employer Paid)
  • Short Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
  • Long Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
  • Supplemental Life
  • Flexible Spending Account / Health Savings Account
  • 401k, with employer match

Full-time and Part-Time, regular positions are offered the following additional benefits.
  • Free Zoo Membership
  • Free Guest Passes
  • Discounts on Food, Merchandise, Attractions, Admission and Programs
  • Free parking

Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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