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Animal Jobs in Nebraska (NOW HIRING)

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Bellevue, NE · On-site

$14.50 - $19/hr

As a Companion Animal Specialist , you are the primary expert and advocate for the health, welfare, and proper care of companion animals and aquatic life within the Pet Care Center (PCC). You ensure ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Omaha, NE · On-site

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

As a Companion Animal Specialist , you are the primary expert and advocate for the health, welfare, and proper care of companion animals and aquatic life within the Pet Care Center (PCC). You ensure ...

Petco

Animal Care Supervisor

Omaha, NE · On-site

As a Companion Animal Supervisor , you are a trusted subject-matter leader responsible for the health, care, and presentation of our live animals while driving sales, customer experience, and ...

New

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Lincoln, NE · On-site

$13.25 - $17.50/hr

As a Companion Animal Specialist , you are the primary expert and advocate for the health, welfare, and proper care of companion animals and aquatic life within the Pet Care Center (PCC). You ensure ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Omaha, NE · On-site

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

As a Companion Animal Specialist , you are the primary expert and advocate for the health, welfare, and proper care of companion animals and aquatic life within the Pet Care Center (PCC). You ensure ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Lincoln, NE · On-site

$13.25 - $17.50/hr

As a Companion Animal Specialist , you are the primary expert and advocate for the health, welfare, and proper care of companion animals and aquatic life within the Pet Care Center (PCC). You ensure ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Omaha, NE · On-site

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

As a Companion Animal Specialist , you are the primary expert and advocate for the health, welfare, and proper care of companion animals and aquatic life within the Pet Care Center (PCC). You ensure ...

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All JobsAnimal JobsAnimal Jobs in Nebraska

Animal information

See Nebraska salary details

$9

$20

$26

How much do animal jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal in Nebraska is $20.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.49 and $23.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are animal jobs?

Animal jobs refer to occupations that involve working directly or indirectly with animals. These roles can include veterinarians, animal trainers, zookeepers, animal shelter workers, wildlife biologists, and pet groomers, among others. People in animal jobs may care for, study, train, or protect different species of animals in various environments. These careers often require a passion for animal welfare and may involve both physical and emotional demands. Some positions may also require specialized education or certifications.

What are some common challenges faced by animal caretakers in a shelter environment?

Animal caretakers in shelters often face challenges such as managing a high volume of animals, addressing diverse medical and behavioral needs, and coping with emotionally demanding situations like animal surrenders or adoptions. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as caretakers frequently collaborate with veterinarians, volunteers, and adoption counselors to ensure the well-being of each animal. Additionally, maintaining cleanliness and safety standards in a fast-paced environment can be physically demanding but is crucial for disease prevention and animal comfort.

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

To thrive as an Animal Caretaker, you need a solid understanding of animal behavior, basic veterinary care, and handling techniques, often supported by a high school diploma or relevant certification. Familiarity with animal management software, feeding protocols, and cleaning equipment is typically required. Compassion, patience, and strong observational skills help caretakers respond effectively to animal needs and recognize health issues early. These skills ensure animal well-being, safe environments, and effective daily operations in shelters, zoos, or veterinary facilities.

What careers work with animals?

There are a number of exciting careers in which you work with animals on a daily basis. Some of the more well-known careers are zoologist and veterinary doctor. As a zoologist, you can work with a wide variety of wild animals in a zoo setting. While zoos are the most common setting, there are a wide variety of research settings in which you can work as well. As a veterinarian, you take care of domestic animals in a pet hospital or vet clinic. You can also work with farm animals. Some lesser known career options are marine biologist, animal trainer, pet groomer, and dog warden. There are also careers for people that would be interested in breeding animals such as dogs and cats.

What is the difference between Animal vs Veterinary Technician?

AspectAnimalVeterinary Technician
Required CredentialsNone or basic animal handling certificationsLicensed or certified, often requiring an associate degree
Work EnvironmentZoos, farms, pet stores, research labsVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals, clinics
Industry UsageAnimal care, research, educationMedical support in veterinary settings
Common Search IntentAnimal care roles, animal handling jobsVet tech jobs, veterinary support roles

Animal roles focus on general care, handling, and management of animals across various environments. Veterinary technicians specialize in supporting veterinarians with medical procedures, diagnostics, and patient care in clinical settings. While both work with animals, veterinary technicians require specific certifications and work primarily in veterinary practices, whereas animal roles are broader and include diverse environments.

What careers can I have with animals?

Careers with animals include roles such as veterinarian, zookeeper, animal trainer, wildlife rehabilitator, and pet groomer. These jobs often require specific training, certifications, or degrees, and may involve working in environments like clinics, zoos, shelters, or outdoor settings.

What careers do you work with animals?

Careers working with animals include roles such as veterinarian, animal trainer, zookeeper, wildlife rehabilitator, and pet groomer. These jobs often require specific training, certifications, or degrees, and involve working in environments like clinics, zoos, shelters, or outdoor settings.
More about Animal jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal jobs in Nebraska?

The most popular types of Animal jobs in Nebraska are:

What are popular job titles related to Animal jobs in Nebraska?

For Animal jobs in Nebraska, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Animal jobs in Nebraska look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal jobs in Nebraska are:

What cities in Nebraska are hiring for Animal jobs?

Cities in Nebraska with the most Animal job openings:

Animal jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal job openings in Nebraska as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $41,745 per year, or $20.1 per hour.

Animal Caretaker

Omaha, NE • On-site

SD Department of Veterans Affairs
See more jobs at SD Department of Veterans Affairsexternal

$23.02/hr

Part-time

Posted 11 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Monitor animals for changes in health and unusual behaviors.

  • Handle and restrain animals as needed.

  • Clean, sanitize, and sterilize animal enclosures and nutrition equipment.

Job description

The employee will serve as an Animal Caretaker assigned to the Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU), Research Service, location at the Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Healthcare System in Omaha, NE.Qualifications:PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: The physical strength and manual dexterity to safely work with all species of animals, both wild and domestic, are required. Animal enclosures, including cages, vary in size from shoebox dimensions to the size of a moderate dining table, and can be heavy and quite bulky. The incumbent will be required to manipulate these items around a large cage washer and sterilization equipment, which also requires strength and dexterity to work safely.
Varies from the aseptic, ideally controlled environment (such as that of the surgical suite) to that of excesses of temperature, humidity and poor air quality encountered in field conditions. Work in the rack/cage washing area involved exposure to high temperatures and humidity. The work environment includes exposure to allergens, humidity and odors in animal rooms and necropsy areas, exposure to exotic and zoonotic diseases, animal bites and scratches, and biological and carcinogenic hazards.
(SCREEN-OUT) - Possess the ability to perform the duties of the Animal Caretaker without more than normal supervision. Qualifying experience includes: performing health examinations on animals; monitoring animals for changes in health and unusual behaviors; collecting biological specimens for laboratory examination (i.e. feces, urine, blood and microbiological specimens); handling and restraining animals; and cleaning, sanitizing and sterilizing animal enclosures and nutrition (food/water) equipment. (Experience must be detailed in your resume to receive full credit.)
Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume.
You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
  • Materials
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Technical Practices
  • Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Without more than normal supervision

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:This job does not have an education qualification requirement.Employment Type: OTHER

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