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Exotic Animal Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Exotic Animal Manager information

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$23K

$61.4K

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How much do exotic animal manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for exotic animal manager in the United States is $61,351.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,000.00 and $69,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an exotic animal manager?

An Exotic Animal Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing the care, welfare, and management of exotic animals in facilities such as zoos, wildlife parks, or animal sanctuaries. Their duties include supervising animal caretakers, ensuring proper nutrition and habitat conditions, maintaining health and safety standards, and developing enrichment programs to promote animal well-being. They often coordinate with veterinarians, researchers, and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with legal and ethical guidelines. Effective communication and strong organizational skills are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an exotic animal manager?

To thrive as an Exotic Animal Manager, you need a background in animal science, biology, or zoology, along with hands-on experience in animal care and management. Familiarity with animal management software, record-keeping systems, and relevant certifications such as Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) are often required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills are vital for managing teams and ensuring animal welfare. These skills and qualifications are essential to maintain safety, regulatory compliance, and optimal care for diverse and sometimes challenging animal populations.

What are some common challenges faced by an exotic animal manager in a zoological setting?

Exotic Animal Managers often face the challenge of balancing the specialized needs of a diverse range of species while maintaining high standards of animal welfare and safety. Coordinating care routines, enrichment activities, and medical treatments requires close collaboration with veterinarians, keepers, and other staff. Additionally, managers must ensure compliance with strict regulatory guidelines and be prepared to respond quickly to unexpected situations, such as animal health emergencies or behavioral issues. Effective communication and strong organizational skills are essential to successfully navigate these challenges.

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

The most popular types of Exotic Animal jobs are:

What states have the most Exotic Animal Manager jobs?

States with the most job openings for Exotic Animal Manager jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Exotic Animal Manager jobs?

For Exotic Animal Manager jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Exotic Animal Manager job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,351 per year, or $29.5 per hour.

Wheaton Animal Hospital - Veterinarian

Kensington, MD

Wheaton Animal Hospital
Veterinary Services • 11 - 50 employees

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Provide high-quality veterinary care and exceptional service to pets and clients.

  • Perform diagnostic workups, establish histories and physical exams, develop treatment plans, and deliver urgent, preventive, and ongoing care.

  • Perform surgeries, dental procedures, and administer drugs, vaccines, and therapies as appropriate.


Job description

Wheaton Animal Hospital in Kensington, Maryland is seeking an experienced Exotic Veterinarian to join our established and collaborative team.This is an exciting opportunity for a veterinarian who is passionate about exotic animal medicine and wants to join a practice with a long-standing reputation for providing high-quality care to a diverse patient population.

For more than 50 years, Wheaton Animal Hospital has been a trusted part of the Kensington and Wheaton communities. Our full-service hospital provides comprehensive care for dogs and cats while also maintaining a well-established exotic animal caseload that includes birds, reptiles, small mammals, fish, and more.

Why Wheaton Animal Hospital?

Exotic medicine isn't an add-on at Wheaton - it's an important part of who we are. Our team is experienced in providing species-specific care and is equipped to manage exotic patients through all stages of life.

Our exotic services include:

  • Wellness and preventive care
  • Advanced diagnostics and medical workups
  • Digital radiography and ultrasound
  • Exotic animal surgery, including spays, neuters and mass removals
  • Dental care
  • Husbandry and nutritional consultations
  • Urgent care when appropriate
  • Care for birds, reptiles, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, chinchillas, rodents, fish and other exotic species

You'll join an experienced veterinary team that values collaboration, strong client relationships and thoughtful, individualized medicine.

Who We're Looking For

We're seeking a veterinarian who:

  • Has at least 2 years of experience practicing veterinary medicine
  • Has demonstrated experience and confidence treating exotic species
  • Is comfortable managing medical cases involving birds, reptiles and small mammals
  • Has an interest in continuing to grow an already established exotic caseload
  • Values collaboration and enjoys working alongside an experienced veterinary and support team
  • Is committed to providing high-quality medicine and an excellent client experience

This position is best suited for an experienced veterinarian who is comfortable independently managing exotic cases rather than someone looking for their first exposure to exotic animal medicine.

About the Area

Wheaton Animal Hospital is located in Kensington, Maryland, conveniently serving Wheaton, Silver Spring, Rockville, Forest Glen and the greater Washington, D.C. area.

If you're an experienced veterinarian who loves the variety and challenge of exotic medicine and wants to join a hospital where exotic pets are already an important part of the practice, we'd love to meet you.

Position Summary:  

The primary purpose and function of the Associate Veterinarian is to provide the highest quality of veterinary care and exceptional client service. The Associate Veterinarian advocates for pets and their quality of life; builds a long term bonding relationship with clients; contributes to the development and maintenance of the human-pet bond; and educates clients on all aspects of pet health. This role partners with the Practice Manager as a driving force in support of a positive, high-performing culture that aligns with VetEvolve's guiding principles of Care First, Better Together, Grow Forward, and Own It.

Primary Responsibilities: 

  • Provide consistent high-quality care and exceptional service to pets and clients while maximizing efficiency, productivity and profitability.  
  • Practice veterinary medicine in a manner compliant with the State Veterinary Practice Act, Federal and/or State Controlled Substance laws.  Ensure appropriate medical record documentation and maintain complete medical records that meet practice quality control guidelines. 
  • Perform complete diagnostic workups, establish accurate histories and physical exams, develop thorough treatment plans, and deliver appropriate urgent, preventive, and ongoing care. 
  • Prescribe and administer drugs, vaccines, and other therapies as appropriate; perform surgery, dental procedures, and other treatments using standard protocols, instruments, and equipment. 
  • Effectively communicate diagnoses, treatment plans, and home care instructions to clients and the veterinary medical team; address and resolve client concerns. 
  • Promote the safety of pets, clients, and team members by ensuring safe restraint techniques, adherence to practice guidelines, and maintaining clean, organized, and sterile treatment, exam, and laboratory areas. 
  • Build strong, lasting relationships with clients and gain their trust and compliance. 
  • Attend department and team meetings, both in person and virtually, to stay informed, collaborate effectively, and support broader practice alignment. 
  • Demonstrate integrity, ethics, and embody VetEvolve's core values of Service, Evolve, and Trust. 
  • Perform other duties as assigned. 

 Qualifications: 

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) or equivalent, with an active or eligible state license. 
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience practicing exotic animal medicine, with demonstrated comfort managing a variety of exotic species.
  • Strong medical, surgical, and diagnostic skills across companion animal practice.
  • Excellent communication, leadership, and mentoring abilities.
  • Collaborates effectively in a fast-paced, client-centered environment.
  • Commitment to maintaining professional ethics, safety, and high-quality patient care.
  • Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and safely handle animals up to 130 pounds.
  • Comfortable sitting, standing, walking, bending, and kneeling for extended periods throughout the workday. 
  • Professional, neat appearance consistent with hospital standards. 

Compensation and Benefits:  

  • We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage. In addition, employees are eligible to participate in our 401(k) retirement plan. Other benefits include paid time off, paid holidays and access to employee assistance program. 

Hours:  

  • Must be able to work a flexible schedule and be available for scheduling during all hours the practice is open to support hospital operations. 

Apply here or contact Meaghan Mostriansky at mostriansky@vetevolve.com for more information and a confidential, exploratory conversation!