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Animal Assistant Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

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Animal Assistant information

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$7

$14

$28

How much do animal assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal assistant in Portland, OR is $14.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.56 and $15.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animal assistant?

Animal Assistants are professionals who help care for animals in a variety of settings, such as veterinary clinics, animal shelters, pet boarding facilities, and research labs. Their duties typically include feeding, grooming, exercising, and monitoring animals, as well as cleaning enclosures and assisting veterinarians or other animal care specialists. They play a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of animals, and may also interact with pet owners and assist with administrative tasks. To become an Animal Assistant, a love for animals, attention to detail, and good communication skills are essential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal Assistant, you need a basic understanding of animal care, handling, and health, often supported by a high school diploma or relevant coursework. Familiarity with animal restraint techniques, cleaning protocols, and sometimes specialized software for record-keeping is typically required. Compassion, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you provide quality care and work effectively with both animals and their owners. These skills ensure the safety, health, and well-being of animals while maintaining efficient operations in veterinary or animal care settings.

What are some common challenges animal assistants face in their daily work, and how can they prepare for them?

Animal Assistants often encounter challenges such as managing the stress and unpredictability of working with a variety of animals, handling physically demanding tasks, and ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols. They may also need to communicate effectively with veterinarians, pet owners, or other staff members, which requires patience and strong interpersonal skills. To prepare, candidates should develop resilience, maintain physical fitness, and seek training in animal behavior and handling techniques, as well as familiarize themselves with the specific procedures of their workplace.

What is the difference between Animal Assistant vs Veterinary Technician?

AspectAnimal AssistantVeterinary Technician
CredentialsNone required or basic certificationsLicensed or certified, often requiring an associate degree
Work EnvironmentAnimal shelters, pet clinics, grooming facilitiesVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals, research labs
Job DutiesAssist with animal care, cleaning, feeding, basic handlingPerform medical tests, assist in surgeries, administer medications
Employer & Industry UsageAnimal shelters, pet stores, grooming salonsVeterinary practices, animal hospitals, research institutions

Animal Assistants typically focus on basic animal care and support roles, often with minimal formal credentials. Veterinary Technicians have more advanced responsibilities, including medical procedures, requiring certifications or licenses. Both roles work closely with animals but differ significantly in training, duties, and work settings.

What do you need to be an animal assistant?

To become an animal assistant, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, experience working with animals, and good communication skills. Knowledge of animal care, basic veterinary procedures, and the ability to handle animals safely are important. Some positions may require certifications in pet first aid or animal handling.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal jobs in Portland, OR?

The most popular types of Animal jobs in Portland, OR are:

What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Animal Assistant jobs?

Cities near Portland, OR with the most Animal Assistant job openings:

Animal Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Assistant job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, and 24% Part Time. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $30,501 per year, or $14.7 per hour.

Lab Animal Technician 1

Oregon Health & Science University

Beaverton, OR • On-site

$23.96 - $32.37/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Oregon Health & Science University rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 95 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

171st of 631 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Department Overview
The Oregon National Primate Center (ONPRC) is located 12 miles west of the OHSU main campus, and sits on 162 acres of land featuring forested areas, research and administration buildings, indoor and outdoor animal housing, and 2-mile perimeter walking path. Our mission is to improve human health and the quality of life through the support of nonhuman primate research programs that advance our knowledge of the causes, preventions, treatments, and cures of debilitating diseases.
Function/Duties of Position
The Laboratory Animal Technician 1 provides husbandry, health care and research support for laboratory animals maintained at the Oregon National Primate Research Center. The primary function of this position is to learn and master the ability to perform the manual and technical tasks directly related to the care of, and research support for the use of, laboratory animals. The area of work assignment and specific tasks will vary, depending on animal population and care requirements, service requirements, staffing needs and the individual's knowledge. The area of work assignment and specific tasks will vary, depending on animal populations and care requirements, service requirements, and staffing needs, during regular and non-regular working hours, including weekends, holidays, or on an overtime basis. Duties must be performed in a professional manner and will require contact with investigative staff.
  • With the proper training, conduct routine animal husbandry procedures, including but not limited to:
    • Routine feeding and watering of animals.
    • Capture, restraint, and transportation of animals in support of veterinary or investigative procedures.
    • Handle, restraint, identification and sexing all common varieties of Laboratory animals.
    • Routine sanitization of animal primary housing, shelters, equipment and facilities. Includes sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, washing and disinfection of floors, walls, ceilings, sinks and other equipment.
    • Assist with animal health management procedures, including animal treatment and diagnostic procedures such as weighing, TB testing, and blood collections.
    • Assist with facility maintenance.
    • Assist with unloading and storing feed (feed bags weigh 25-50 lb each).
    • Assist with group-housed animal capture ("roundup") and processing.
    • Assist with care of animals in the nursery.
    • Assist with animal care and environmental enrichment activities that may be required on weekends, during non-regular working hours, or on an overtime basis.
    • Inventory and request supplies.
  • Observe animals in all housing configurations, recognize abnormalities in physical condition or behavior, and report and record observations.
  • Recognize and report problems with facilities (i.e., inappropriate room temperatures, leaking or broken water pipes, plugged drains, damaged surfaces, etc.). Perform simple facility maintenance tasks, including but not limited to replacing drinking water valves, simple surface preparation and painting, replace lighting tubes or bulbs, etc.
  • Operate equipment necessary to support the animal care and support mission of the Division, including but not limited to cage washers, floor scrubbers, autoclaves, pressures washers, scales and veterinary care instruments.
  • Interact with the research investigative staff to accomplish their needs in a professional manner, with service-oriented attitude.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications
  • Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written instructions.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in oral and/or written formats with both technical and professional staff.
  • Ability to assist with research support at the level that the individual is trained.
  • Research support must be performed in a professional manner and will require contact with investigative staff.
  • Ability to perform general animal husbandry duties and assist investigative staff with needs as requested.
  • A valid Driver's License and the ability to drive DCM/ONPRC vehicles on and off campus.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Advancement requires High School Diploma or GED, and mastery of principles and concepts that are taught on the job.
  • 6 months of related experience with animals, OR Certification at the Assistant laboratory animal Technician level (ALAT) OR 2 years of indirect laboratory animal experience.
  • Basic knowledge of the care of animals can be demonstrated through care of household pets, farm animals, or 4-H animals.

Additional Details
Regular schedule is 7:00am - 3:30pm, includes weekends. Weekly work schedules established by DCM supervisory staff and includes all weekends with two consecutive days off during the week after completing the training program, voluntary and mandatory weekend, overtime, and holiday work schedules.
Working Conditions
  • Daily work may involve moving on wet and/or slick surfaces, through narrow corridors between rows of cages, working outdoors, and climbing stairs to corral observation towers.
  • Perform work in covered and uncovered areas that are not environmentally controlled.
  • Work in areas where there is risk of exposure to zoonotic agents through injury, by direct contact with animals or their tissues and body fluids, or by contact with equipment contaminated by animals or their tissues and body fluids.
  • Work where there is risk of exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and sanitizing chemicals.
  • Work in areas or in conditions that require fit testing and use of an N-95 respirator.

Physical Conditions
  • Able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 23 kg (50lbs), and lift objects weighing approximately 19 kg (42lbs) to approximately shoulder height.
  • Able to push and pull heavy wheeled equipment such as cage racks and loaded carts.
  • Able to move unassisted through various animal housing areas located in several separate buildings, indoor and outdoor, in order to make animal observations, perform animal husbandry tasks, handle, move, or restrain animals, collect samples, administer treatments, and perform other procedures.
  • Possess sufficient dexterity and manual skills to safely perform (or learn to perform) basic animal husbandry and animal handling (using proper techniques), and health care procedures, including but not limited to feeding and sanitization procedures, animal capture and restraint, administration of medications, and collection of body fluids and tissues.

Why apply to OHSU?
We are Oregon's only public academic health center.
In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.
All are welcome.
OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply.
To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu

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About Oregon Health & Science University

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Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is a distinguished institution under the industry of higher education and healthcare, specifically in the field of medical science. Based in Portland, Oregon, US, it maintains a reputation for promoting research, teaching, patient care, and outreach. Established in 1887, OHSU has continually sought to redefine the parameters of healthcare delivery and biomedical discovery through its expansive catalog of programs and initiatives. A galvanizing mission drives OHSU: to improve the health and quality of life for all Oregonians through excellence, innovation, and leadership in health care, education, and research.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Portland, OR, US

Year founded

1887

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