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Animal Curator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Peoria Park District

Animal Keeper

Peoria, IL · On-site

$20.96/hr

Under the supervision of the Animal Curator, the Animal Keeper will be responsible for: * Care for the wild and domestic animals in the Zoo's collection. * Clean and disinfect displays and off-site ...

Peoria Park District

Animal Keeper

Peoria, IL · On-site

$20.96/hr

Under the supervision of the Animal Curator, the Animal Keeper will be responsible for: * Care for the wild and domestic animals in the Zoo's collection. * Clean and disinfect displays and off-site ...

Peoria Park District

Animal Keeper Part Time

Peoria, IL · On-site

$16/hr

Under the supervision of the Curator of Animals, the Animal Keeper Part-Time will be responsible for: * Caring for the wild and domestic animals in the Zoo's collection. * Cleaning and disinfecting ...

Peoria Park District

Animal Keeper Part Time

Peoria, IL · On-site

$16/hr

Under the supervision of the Curator of Animals, the Animal Keeper Part-Time will be responsible for: * Caring for the wild and domestic animals in the Zoo's collection. * Cleaning and disinfecting ...

Audubon Institute

Curator of Birds

New Orleans, LA · On-site

$67K/yr

Animal Reports To: General Curator Location: Audubon Zoo FLSA Status: Exempt Position Type: Full Time Who We Are Audubon Nature Institute comprises Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium ...

UC San Diego

Curator - 140598

San Diego, CA · On-site

$37.93 - $68.68/hr

Assume full curatorial duties and manage the unit in collaboration with curatorial team and in the ... Five (5) or more years experience managing an aquatic animal husbandry unit at a zoo, aquarium, or ...

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Animal Curator information

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$25.5K

$72.6K

$119.5K

How much do animal curator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal curator in the United States is $72,627.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What degree do you need to be an animal curator?

Animal curators typically need at least a bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, wildlife management, or a related field. Advanced positions may require a master's degree or higher, along with experience in animal care, conservation, or museum studies.

What is an animal curator?

An Animal Curator is responsible for the care, management, and well-being of animals in a zoo, aquarium, or wildlife facility. They oversee enclosures, coordinate feeding and medical care, and develop enrichment programs. Additionally, they may participate in conservation efforts, research, and public education. The role requires knowledge of animal behavior, veterinary care, and habitat maintenance. Strong leadership and organizational skills are important, as curators often manage zookeepers and collaborate with other professionals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the animal curator position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal Curator, you need a deep understanding of animal husbandry, species-specific care, and biological sciences, often supported by a relevant degree and extensive experience in zoological management. Familiarity with animal management software, breeding programs, regulatory compliance systems, and sometimes specialized certifications (such as AZA accreditation) is important. Leadership, problem-solving, and strong communication skills help you coordinate with teams, manage staff, and interact effectively with the public. These capabilities are crucial to ensure animal welfare, operational efficiency, and educational outreach in zoos, aquariums, or wildlife organizations.

What does an animal curator do?

An animal curator is responsible for managing and caring for animals in a zoo, aquarium, or wildlife facility. They oversee animal health, habitat maintenance, and enrichment, often working with veterinary staff and using record-keeping tools to ensure proper care and conservation efforts.

What are the primary responsibilities of an animal curator on a typical day?

An Animal Curator is responsible for overseeing the care, health, and enrichment of animal collections, which involves supervising keepers, developing exhibit and breeding plans, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and ethical standards. Daily tasks may include monitoring animal health and behavior, coordinating with veterinary staff, maintaining records, and planning educational or conservation initiatives. You may also be involved in developing new exhibits and training staff on best practices. Regular collaboration with other departments, such as education, maintenance, and guest services, is key to creating a safe and engaging environment for both animals and visitors. This dynamic role requires adaptability and a hands-on approach to animal welfare and leadership.

How much does an animal curator make?

Animal curators typically earn a median annual salary of around $40,000 to $60,000, depending on experience, location, and the size of the institution. Salaries can increase with advanced certifications, specialized knowledge, and years of experience working with diverse animal species.
More about Animal Curator jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Curator jobs? The most popular types of Animal Curator jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Animal Curator jobs? The top employers for Animal Curator jobs are:
What states have the most Animal Curator jobs? States with the most job openings for Animal Curator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Animal Curator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Curator jobs are:
Animal Curator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Curator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,627 per year, or $34.9 per hour.

Animal Keeper

Peoria Park District

Peoria, IL • On-site

$20.96/hr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Duties: Under the supervision of the Animal Curator, the Animal Keeper will be responsible for:
  • Care for the wild and domestic animals in the Zoo's collection.
  • Clean and disinfect displays and off-site areas in a timely and efficient manner.
  • Clean and disinfect dishes, pans, and utensils used in diet preparation and animal care. Participate in all aspects of kitchen clean-up.
  • Keep work areas and public areas neat and orderly.
  • Prepare and distribute diets, assist in the formulation of diets, and the procurement of animal needs.
  • Assist in the handling of, administration of medication to, assisting in surgery, and record keeping of medications to assigned string.
  • Aide in the acquisition and distribution of consumable products necessary to maintain a wild animal population. Submit requests for animal supplies, expenditures, and bills to the Animal Curator.
  • Maintain accurate records and paperwork necessary to maintain a captive animal population.
  • Participate in preventative medicine/procedures and report animal health concerns to the Animal Curator or Zoo Director; serve as the liaison with the veterinarian as needed.
  • Recommend procedures for animal care, and research, and recommend animals for acquisition/disposition. Meet monthly in animal collection meetings as well as regularly with the Animal Curator to maintain information flow on the animal collection. Set goals and objectives based on review.
  • Participate in behavioral enhancement for the animal collection.
  • Report all malfunctions of heating, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical equipment and submit maintenance needs to the Animal Curator and maintenance staff.
  • Report emergencies and unusual situations to appropriate personnel.
  • Perform routine maintenance tasks as needed. Assist in exhibit repair and construction. Ensure exhibits are properly maintained for the species displayed and the general public.
  • Assist in programming and promotions of the zoo including working with volunteers. May be required to provide programming on an ongoing basis.
  • Wear the designated uniform during regular zoo hours.
  • Assume responsibility for knowing, being trained, and following all safety procedures that pertain to the duties performed.
  • Follow all safety procedures that pertain to the duties performed. Support all aspects of the Park District's safety program.
  • Perform other duties assigned:
    • which are reasonably related to the duties described; or
    • which need to be performed promptly to avoid safety hazards or to protect Park District property; or
    • which are not generally described in other job descriptions; or
    • when the amount of work exceeds the availability of Park District employees within the appropriate job classification.

Essential Functions:
  • Ability to reach, walk, pull, kneel, squat, and bend at the waist and knees.
  • Ability to understand and complete record keeping and paperwork relative to job duties.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Education: Four-year college degree in a related field. Although a degree is preferred, extensive experience in a similar position with similar duties and responsibilities may be substituted for all or part of the educational requirement.
Experience: One year of full-time experience in the care and maintenance of wild and/or domestic animals is required. A combination of education and experience may substitute.
Knowledge and Ability:
  • Basic knowledge of characteristics, diet, habits, and well-being of wild and domestic animals.
  • Aptitude for on-the-job training and ability to follow written and oral instructions.
  • Ability to work harmoniously with the public and fellow employees in a positive and cooperative manner.
  • Must be dependable, courteous, and able to work with people of all ages.
  • Ability to be professional, respectful, accountable, innovative, to follow safety procedures, and be equitable to both internal and external customers.
  • Requires valid Illinois State Driver's License.
  • Personal: Must demonstrate reliability, initiative, tact, and resourcefulness.
  • This position is represented by the AFSCME, AFL-CIO's Local Union No. 3774.

Benefits and Perks:
  • Paid sick days, vacation days, and holidays.
  • Longevity bonus program and wellness program.
  • Pension and retirement programs and Social Security participating.
  • Exceptional health plan.
  • Paid Life Insurance.
  • Disability Insurance.
  • Full-time employees and dependents enjoy discounted recreation classes and free admission to select Park District facilities.

The Peoria Park District hires without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, pregnancy, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service, protected veteran status, or on the basis of any characteristic protected by law.
All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

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