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Animal Behavior Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Weekends as needed-typically only over long holiday weekends for animal feedings and upkeep. How ... behavior/mortality, verify environmental conditions, check water quality. * Ensure lab and habitat ...

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Animal Behavior information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$17.3K

$43.7K

$68.7K

How much do animal behavior jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal behavior in Rochester, NY is $43,683.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29,441.00 and $54,209.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as an Animal Behaviorist, you need a strong background in animal science, psychology, or biology, often supported by a relevant degree and specialized training. Familiarity with behavioral assessment tools, data analysis software, and sometimes certification from organizations like the Animal Behavior Society is typical. Excellent observation, problem-solving, and communication skills help professionals interact effectively with both animals and their owners. These qualifications are crucial for accurately diagnosing behavioral issues and implementing effective intervention strategies that improve animal welfare.

What jobs study animal behavior?

Jobs that study animal behavior include ethologists, wildlife biologists, zoologists, and animal behaviorists. These roles often require a background in biology or psychology, fieldwork experience, and knowledge of research methods and animal handling. They can be found in research institutions, zoos, conservation organizations, and academic settings.

What is animal behavior?

Animal behavior refers to the actions and reactions of animals in response to external or internal stimuli. It encompasses everything animals do, including movement, communication, feeding, mating, and social interactions. Scientists study animal behavior to understand how animals adapt to their environment, interact with each other, and survive. This field can involve both observing animals in their natural habitats and conducting experiments in controlled settings.

What are some common challenges faced by animal behaviorists in their daily work?

Animal behaviorists often encounter challenges such as interpreting subtle behavioral cues, working with animals that may be stressed or fearful, and effectively communicating findings to pet owners or facility staff. They may also face unpredictable situations, especially when working with animals with a history of aggression or trauma. Building trust with both animals and humans, as well as adapting behavior modification plans to suit individual needs, are key aspects of the role that require patience and flexibility.

What Are Animal Behavior Jobs?

Animal behavior jobs focus on either domestic animals or wildlife behavior. If you work with domestic animals, you may have duties like training dogs or horses as companion animals or service animals. Your responsibilities can vary significantly, as running obedience classes is very different than training a seeing-eye dog. As an animal behaviorist, your duties and responsibilities are to study how animals behave in their natural habitat, observing how they eat, their hunting behavior, their mating patterns, and how they raise their offspring. In addition to your research, you may teach in a college or university or provide instruction to primary school students. Other animal behaviorist work in zoos or wildlife preserves.

What jobs can you do with animal behaviour?

Jobs related to animal behavior include animal trainer, zookeeper, wildlife rehabilitator, research scientist, and animal behaviorist. These roles often require knowledge of animal psychology, observation skills, and sometimes certifications or degrees in biology, zoology, or animal science. They typically involve working in environments such as zoos, research facilities, or conservation organizations.

What is the highest paying job working with animals?

The highest paying jobs working with animals include veterinary surgeons, especially specialized or board-certified veterinarians, and zoo directors or managers. These roles often require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and specialized skills, with salaries reaching six figures or more depending on the location and employer.

How do you become an animal behaviorist?

To become an animal behaviorist, typically a bachelor's degree in biology, psychology, or a related field is required, followed by a master's or doctoral degree specializing in animal behavior or ethology. Gaining experience through internships, research, or working with animals is important, and professional certification from organizations like the Animal Behavior Society can enhance career prospects.

What is the difference between Animal Behavior vs Animal Care Specialist?

AspectAnimal BehaviorAnimal Care Specialist
Required CredentialsDegree in animal science, psychology, or related field; certifications in animal behaviorHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training or certifications in animal care
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, animal behavior consulting firmsZoos, shelters, pet stores, veterinary clinics
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, academia, animal behavior consultingAnimal shelters, pet care facilities, zoos
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Animal Behavior specialists focus on studying, analyzing, and understanding animal actions, often working in research or consulting roles. Animal Care Specialists provide hands-on care, feeding, and maintaining animals in shelters, zoos, or clinics. While both roles involve working with animals, Animal Behavior emphasizes understanding behavior patterns, whereas Animal Care focuses on daily animal well-being and management.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Behavior jobs in Rochester, NY? The most popular types of Animal Behavior jobs in Rochester, NY are:
What job categories do people searching Animal Behavior jobs in Rochester, NY look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Behavior jobs in Rochester, NY are:
What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Animal Behavior jobs? Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Animal Behavior job openings:
Infographic showing various Animal Behavior job openings in Rochester, NY as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,683 per year, or $21 per hour.

$39K - $63K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

The Opportunity:

Avantor is looking for a Biology Technician to support laboratory operations by performing routine biological procedures, preparing specimens, maintaining live or preserved biological materials, and ensuring accurate labeling, documentation, and inventory control. The role is critical to maintaining product quality, lab safety, and operational efficiency.

This is a full-time position based out of our West Henrietta, NY office.
Work Schedule:
Monday-Friday, 7am-3:30pm; Weekends as needed-typically only over long holiday weekends for animal feedings and upkeep.

How you will thrive and create an impact:

  • Prepare, handle, and maintain biological specimens, slides, and live materials according to SOPs.
  • Support live product care and maintenance (e.g., insects, larvae, butterflies): feed organisms per schedule, check health/behavior/mortality, verify environmental conditions, check water quality.
  • Ensure lab and habitat maintenance: clean tanks/cages/habitats, remove waste and organisms, verify equipment is working.
  • Maintain accurate labeling and ensure correct catalog/SKU identification.
  • Production and order support: support breeding/egg collection, prepare materials for packing/shipping, verify correct species/life stage/quantity, flag shortages or risks.
  • Conduct inventory checks, cycle counts, and stock verification.
  • Follow biosafety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
  • Confirm label accuracy and document activities accurately in logs, batch records, and systems.
  • Report safety or equipment issues.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives to reduce labor, waste, and errors.
  • Maintain clean and organized work areas.
  • Cross-train to support coverage across multiple labs or work areas.

What we're looking for:

  • Education:
  • Bachelors degree.
  • Experience:
  • Basic understanding of biology or life sciences.
  • Experience working in a lab or production environment.

  • Additional Qualifications:
  • Ability to follow SOPs, standard work, EHS and biosafety guidelines.
  • Attention to detail and ability to follow standard work instructions.
  • Good organizational and documentation skills.
  • Ability to handle delicate biological materials with care.
  • Strong teamwork and communication skills.
  • Comfortable working with live organisms (where applicable).
Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.
The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.
We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!

Pay Transparency:

The expected pre-tax pay for this position is

$39,500.00 - $63,250.00

Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

EEO Statement:

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at recruiting@avantorsciences.comand let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.

Privacy Policy:

We will use the personal information that you have submitted to us in order to consider your application for the relevant role.

Your privacy is important to us. Please click here for our Privacy Policy which explains the purposes for which we will use your personal information and the ways in which we will handle and retain your information. It also explains the rights you have in relation to your information, and how to contact us with any queries or requests.

3rd Party Non-Solicitation Policy:

By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation.