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Entry Level Animal Behavior Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cabarrus County, NC

ANIMAL CARE SPECIALIST (VET TECH)

NC · On-site

$41K - $49K/yr

Initial placement for new employees is customarily at entry level through 35% percentile. Pay grade ... animal behavior; good interpersonal, communication, and time management skills; strong team ...

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Entry Level Animal Behavior information

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How much do entry level animal behavior jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level animal behavior in the United States is $20.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $22.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level animal behaviorist?

An entry level animal behaviorist is a professional who studies the behavior of animals, often focusing on how animals interact with their environment, other animals, and humans. Individuals in this role may work in research, animal shelters, zoos, or with veterinarians to observe, record, and analyze animal behavior. Entry level positions typically involve assisting senior behaviorists, collecting data, and sometimes helping with animal training or enrichment activities. Most entry level animal behaviorists have a bachelor's degree in animal science, biology, psychology, or a related field. The role provides foundational experience for those interested in advanced study or specialized careers in animal behavior.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level animal behaviorist?

To thrive as an Entry Level Animal Behaviorist, you need a foundational understanding of animal behavior, biology, and psychology, often supported by a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with behavioral assessment tools, data collection software, and animal care protocols is typically required. Strong observational skills, patience, and effective communication are important soft skills for working with both animals and their human caretakers. These skills ensure accurate behavior analysis, promote animal welfare, and facilitate successful collaboration within research or care teams.

What are some common challenges faced in an entry level animal behavior role, and how can they be managed?

Entry-level animal behavior professionals often encounter challenges such as interpreting subtle animal cues, managing nervous or aggressive animals, and adapting to varied work environments like shelters, zoos, or research facilities. Building strong observation skills, maintaining patience, and consistently following safety protocols are essential for overcoming these challenges. Collaboration with experienced colleagues and seeking mentorship can also help new team members develop effective handling techniques and gain confidence in their assessments.

What is the difference between Entry Level Animal Behavior vs Entry Level Animal Care?

AspectEntry Level Animal BehaviorEntry Level Animal Care
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma; certifications in animal behavior or psychology beneficialHigh school diploma; certifications in pet care or veterinary assisting helpful
Work EnvironmentResearch facilities, zoos, animal training centersAnimal shelters, pet stores, veterinary clinics
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, zoos, animal training companiesAnimal shelters, pet care services, veterinary clinics
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles related to animal behavior analysisLooking for entry-level animal care positions

Entry Level Animal Behavior focuses on understanding and analyzing animal actions, often requiring knowledge of psychology and behavior modification. Entry Level Animal Care involves hands-on animal handling, feeding, and basic health care. Both roles are essential in animal-related industries but differ in focus and skill requirements.

How to get into entry level animal behavior?

To enter an entry-level animal behavior role, gaining a bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, psychology, or a related field is often required. Gaining hands-on experience through internships, volunteering at animal shelters, or working with research projects can improve job prospects. Developing skills in observation, data collection, and understanding animal welfare is also beneficial.

What jobs can I get with an entry level animal behavior degree?

Entry level animal behavior degrees can qualify you for roles such as animal care technician, zoo assistant, or research assistant, where understanding animal behavior and basic observation skills are essential. These positions often involve working in shelters, zoos, or research facilities and may require certifications in animal handling or safety protocols.

What jobs can you get with entry level animal behavior?

Entry-level animal behavior roles include positions such as animal care technician, zoo assistant, or pet trainer, which often require basic knowledge of animal needs and behavior. These jobs typically involve working in shelters, zoos, or veterinary clinics and may require certifications like pet first aid or animal handling training.
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Entry Level Animal Behavior jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Animal Behavior job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,702 per year, or $20.5 per hour.

Animal Technician I(AT)

LUNDQUIST INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION AT HARBOR-UCLA

Torrance, CA • On-site

$23/hr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

ABOUT US
The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is an independent, non-profit biomedical research organization located in Torrance, California. In dozens of laboratories throughout the campus, researchers are working to unravel the mysteries of heart and kidney disease, cardiac complications in newborns, chronic lung disease, skin cancer, sickle cell disease, disorders of the autoimmune system, and much more. Many of these projects are collaborative in nature, involving experts from different areas of specialization. Our discoveries have prevented blindness in newborns, enabled premature infants with fragile lungs to breathe and allowed children with rare, often fatal diseases to grow up healthy and strong.
Basic Responsibilities
  • Perform animal husbandry (clean, feed, sanitation, enrichment, etc.) on a regular basis.
  • Operate, maintain, and perform equipment tasks (e.g. cage washers, autoclave, cage movement, etc.) on a regular basis.
  • Observe and report any aberrations in animal room environments (room temperature, humidity, lighting, ventilation, vermin, etc.).
  • Perform general facility cleaning, stocking, and inventory.
  • Prepare rooms, sanitize, and repair as needed.
  • Receive, and distribute animals for isolation, study assignment or consolidation.
  • Perform animal identification tasks (tattoo, sex, ear tag, etc.).
  • Comply with the appropriate safety and study requirements as described in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and governmental regulations.
  • Comply with appropriate safety and health practices including personal protective equipment and barrier requirements, as applicable.
  • Recognize animal behavior, health status and report to appropriate channels.
  • Attend training programs to become more knowledgeable of and develop expertise in laboratory animal science.

Essential Job Functions
  • Provide daily animal care (cleaning, feeding, and watering of animals), animal facility cleaning and sanitation, documentation of appropriate environmental conditions, and daily animal health and welfare observations to ensure that all of the animals within the department of animal resources care procedures are performed according to regulations and guidelines.
  • Review, comprehend and comply with all SOPs and quality assurance standards pertaining to laboratory animals for research.
  • Monitor daily animal health and welfare while performing daily animal health observations.
  • Perform animal husbandry duties to maintain quality and health of research animals, to include: perform daily water bottle /automatic water line and cage checks; provide appropriate food and water; perform cage changing and/or cage cleaning as required; record animal health concerns per SOP and/or specified protocols.
  • Perform general housekeeping and adhere to safety procedures.
  • Required to work on scheduled weekends and holidays.
  • Strict attention to detail and follow-up skills are essential.
  • Strong verbal and written communications skills are required.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to perform in a team environment.
  • Responsible for the accuracy of any assigned task.
  • Responsible for all aspects of training associated with their level of certification.
  • Errors in care, handling, manipulation and treatment of lab animals can result in injury, unnecessary suffering of laboratory animals.
  • Experiments can be affected resulting in loss of data and time resulting in the loss of thousands of research dollars.
Contacts and Working Relationships Required on the Job
Interfaces with Lundquist principal investigators and their technical staff, supervisors, employees, colleagues, vendors, and Harbor-UCLA hospital-based employees.
Qualification Guidelines
  • High school diploma, GED or equivalent
  • This is an entry level position and previous animal experience would be beneficial.
  • Basic computer and math skills.
  • Ability to effectively comprehend and communicate (verbal and written) in a professional manner.
  • An aptitude to follow company policies (tobacco, drug and alcohol-free site), standard operating procedures, and maintain regulatory compliance is important.
  • This is a physical position in a warm environment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
  • Ability to work with animals.
  • Ability to work as a member of a team.
  • Ability to interact in an appropriate and professional manner with others.
Physical and/or Mental Requirements
  • The employee will bend, reach, and push and pull while working with the animals.
  • Ability to lift 50 lbs.
  • Ability to multi-task and maintain organization in a fast paced, changing environment.
  • Positive attitude toward work and co-workers.
  • Be a part of a team that likes to work hard and have fun.
  • All schedules include weekends, holidays and occasional overtime.

Please ensure your application is complete and signed; incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Position requires a background check and health clearance
Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Drug-Free Workplace

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