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How much do animal welfare jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal welfare in the United States is $21.05, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $25.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is animal welfare?

Animal welfare refers to the well-being of animals and the quality of life they experience. It involves ensuring that animals under human care have proper housing, nutrition, medical treatment, and the ability to express natural behaviors. The field of animal welfare includes protecting animals from suffering, cruelty, and neglect, and promoting humane treatment in agriculture, research, entertainment, and as pets. Organizations and professionals in animal welfare work to advocate for laws, education, and practices that support the physical and psychological health of animals.

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

To thrive in Animal Welfare, you need knowledge of animal behavior, care standards, and relevant laws, often supported by a degree in animal science, biology, or a related field. Familiarity with animal management software, record-keeping systems, and sometimes certifications in animal handling or first aid are valuable. Compassion, strong communication, and problem-solving abilities distinguish professionals in this role. These skills ensure the humane treatment of animals, effective advocacy, and successful coordination with the public and other organizations.

What are some common challenges faced in animal welfare roles and how can they be managed?

Professionals in animal welfare often encounter emotionally challenging situations, such as working with abused or neglected animals, which can lead to compassion fatigue. Additionally, there may be resource limitations, including funding and staffing constraints, that require creative problem-solving and prioritization. Effective communication and collaboration with veterinarians, law enforcement, and the public are essential for achieving positive outcomes. Building a strong support network within the organization and seeking ongoing training can help manage these challenges and maintain personal well-being.

What is the difference between Animal Welfare vs Animal Care?

AspectAnimal WelfareAnimal Care
Required CredentialsOften requires certifications in animal welfare or related fieldsTypically requires animal care certifications or experience
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, shelters, advocacy groupsZoos, pet stores, veterinary clinics
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by organizations focused on policy, advocacy, and educationUsed by facilities providing direct animal care
Search & Comparison IntentPeople interested in animal advocacy, policy, and welfare programsIndividuals seeking hands-on animal handling and care roles

Animal Welfare focuses on advocating for animals' rights, policy development, and improving living conditions through education and advocacy. Animal Care involves direct hands-on work with animals, providing daily care, feeding, and health monitoring. While both roles aim to improve animals' lives, Animal Welfare emphasizes systemic change and policy, whereas Animal Care centers on practical, day-to-day animal management.

More about Animal Welfare jobs

What cities are hiring for Animal Welfare jobs?

Cities with the most Animal Welfare job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Welfare jobs?

The most popular types of Animal Welfare jobs are:

What states have the most Animal Welfare jobs?

States with the most job openings for Animal Welfare jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Animal Welfare jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Welfare jobs are:

Animal Welfare jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Welfare job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,783 per year, or $21 per hour.

Veterinarian - Local Animal Welfare Officer

Fort Dodge, IA

Elanco
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing • 5 - 10K employees
Learn more about Elancoexternal

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 1 hour ago

Elanco rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) - it all starts with animals!

As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose - all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.

At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you'll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.

Making animals' lives better makes life better - join our team today!

Your Role:

Local Animal Welfare Officer

As the Local Animal Welfare Officer, you will be a key member of the Fort Dodge site, serving as a site veterinarian for our Research & Development and Manufacturing & Quality teams. In this critical role, you willbe responsible forproviding excellent veterinary care, ensuring local compliance with all animal welfare regulations, and supporting our global Animal Welfare organization's mission through policy development and accreditation activities.

Your Responsibilities:

  • Provide veterinary leadership and hands-on clinical care for animals in the Research & Development and Manufacturing & Quality departments, including herd/colony health monitoring and emergency treatments.

  • Serve as the designated Local Animal Welfare Officer (LAWO), ensuring site compliance with all regulatory guidelines, leading USDA inspections, and supporting AAALAC accreditation visits.

  • Drive the development and implementation of the site's animal welfare program, including creating and reviewing SOPs, training personnel on clinical and husbandry procedures, and providing guidance on best practices.

  • Support the global Animal Welfare organization by leading andparticipatingin projects related to policy development, programmatic improvements, internal inspections, and third-party accreditation efforts.

  • Collaborate with site leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure robust biosecurity, biocontainment, and overall animal welfare program success, including participation in facility design and renovation projects.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):

  • Education:Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from an accredited institution.

  • Experience:A minimum of 3 years of experience in an animal welfare-regulated environment within the Animal Health industry, including direct experience with third-party animal welfare accreditation processes (e.g., AAALAC) and a strong understanding of pre-clinical and clinical models.

  • Licensure:A current license to practice veterinary medicine in the United States and the ability to obtain licensure in the state of Iowa.

  • Technical Skills:Strong field and laboratory clinical skills.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):

  • Certifications:Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM).

  • Experience:Prior experience conducting facility audits and deep familiarity with USDA regulations, theGuide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and theGuide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching.

  • Leadership Skills:Demonstratedability to lead through influence, work independently, and navigate complex situations within multi-disciplinary teams.

  • Communication Skills:Advanced verbal and written communication skills, with a particular strength in conflict management.

Additional Information:

  • Travel:10-20%

  • Location:Fort Dodge, IA - On-Site Work Environment

Don'tmeet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrecognized groups are less likely to applytojobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role butdon'tnecessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!

Elanco Benefits and Perks:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:

  • Multiple relocation packages

  • Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)

  • 8-week parental leave

  • 9 Employee Resource Groups

  • Annual bonus offering

  • Flexible work arrangements

  • Up to 6% 401K matching

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status

Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against jobrelated criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.

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