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Senior Aquarist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ripley Entertainment Inc

Aquarist

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$17.30/hr

Qualifications Reporting to the Senior Aquarist and Curator, the successful candidate will have a four-year degree in Biology, Zoology, related field, or equivalent experience. Experience maintaining ...

Mecklenburg County

Senior Aquarist

Huntersville, NC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Sr Aquarist will be responsible for managing two large freshwater aquariums and invertebrate, amphibian and reptile exhibits at four separate Nature Centers within Mecklenburg County. Maintaining ...

Maymont Foundation

Lead Aquarist

Richmond, VA · On-site

$20/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

LEAD AQUARIST Maymont is a 100-acre historic estate and park, located in Richmond, Virginia, with ... Reports directly to the Sr. Manager of Zoology. Essential Functions: * Maintains health and ...

Maymont Foundation

Lead Aquarist

Richmond, VA

$43K - $56K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

LEAD AQUARIST Maymont is a 100-acre historic estate and park, located in Richmond, Virginia, with ... Reports directly to the Sr. Manager of Zoology. Essential Functions: * Maintains health and ...

Maymont Foundation

Lead Aquarist

Richmond, VA · On-site

$20/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

The Lead Aquarist will lead the care for fish and other taxa in the Nature Center, maintains health ... Reports directly to the Sr. Manager of Zoology.Essential Functions: Maintains health and appearance ...

National Aquarium

Life Support Engineer

Baltimore, MD · On-site

$17.64 - $22.74/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Inspect ozone generators, pumps, motors, blowers, chillers, etc and report problems to Sr. Engineer ... Interacts with LS engineers, Animal Care Programs staff (Aquarists, Marine Mammal Trainers ...

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Senior Aquarist information

See salary details

$25K

$80.3K

$163.5K

How much do senior aquarist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior aquarist in the United States is $80,287.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior aquarist?

A Senior Aquarist is responsible for the care, maintenance, and well-being of aquatic life in an aquarium or marine facility. They oversee daily husbandry tasks, including feeding, tank cleaning, water quality testing, and habitat maintenance. Additionally, they may train and supervise junior aquarists, assist with animal health assessments, and contribute to breeding and conservation programs. This role often involves collaborating with veterinarians, researchers, and educators to ensure the best care for aquatic species. Senior Aquarists may also engage in public outreach, sharing knowledge about marine life with visitors.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a senior aquarist?

To thrive as a Senior Aquarist, you need extensive knowledge of aquatic animal husbandry, water chemistry, and experience in operating and maintaining aquarium systems, typically supported by a degree in marine biology or a related field. Familiarity with specialized life support systems, water quality testing equipment, and certifications such as SCUBA or First Aid/CPR are often required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, leadership, and strong communication skills help in managing staff, coordinating with veterinarians, and educating visitors. These competencies are crucial for maintaining healthy aquatic exhibits and ensuring efficient team operations in an aquarium setting.

How hard is it to get a job as a senior aquarist?

Securing a senior aquarist position typically requires several years of experience working with aquatic life, strong knowledge of marine biology and aquarium maintenance, and relevant certifications such as CPR or first aid. Competition can be moderate to high, especially at reputable facilities, and advanced skills in animal care and habitat management are often necessary.

What does a senior aquarist do?

A typical day for a Senior Aquarist involves overseeing the care and well-being of aquatic animals, monitoring water quality, and ensuring the proper functioning of life support systems. You may lead a team of aquarists, assign daily husbandry tasks, troubleshoot technical issues, and participate in exhibit design or maintenance. Additionally, Senior Aquarists often work closely with veterinarians for animal health checks and collaborate with educators to support public outreach initiatives. The fast-paced environment requires adaptability, attention to detail, and a passion for aquatic life.

Are senior aquarists in demand?

Senior aquarists are in steady demand due to their specialized knowledge of marine and freshwater ecosystems, aquarium maintenance, and animal care. Employment opportunities are often available in public aquariums, research facilities, and private collections, especially for those with certifications and experience in aquatic systems management.
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Senior Aquarist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Aquarist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Internship, 81% Full Time, and 16% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $80,287 per year, or $38.6 per hour.

Aquarist

Ripley Entertainment Inc

Buffalo, NY • On-site

$17.30/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Ripley Entertainment rating

4.3

Company rating: 4.3 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

20th of 20 rated visitor attractions

Job description

Aquarist

Ripley Entertainment is seeking applications for the position of Aquarist for our Buffalo Marine Science Research Center.

Job Description

The Marine Science Research Center is a quarantine facility for the Company’s 3 Aquariums and is located in Buffalo, New York. We are seeking a motivated, team-oriented individual who will be responsible for a variety of marine and freshwater aquarium life support systems and their associated animals. Will be working in a warehouse setting with temperature extremes.

Qualifications

Reporting to the Senior Aquarist and Curator, the successful candidate will have a four-year degree in Biology, Zoology, related field, or equivalent experience. Experience maintaining fishes and invertebrates in closed systems is desired. The candidate will be able to work weekends and be “on call” 24 hours per day. Candidates must be able to obtain a valid New York driver’s license within 30 days of hire and lift 60 lbs. SCUBA certification preferred.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Responsibilities will include care and maintenance of large and small marine and freshwater aquaria, including prevention and treatment of diseases, and detailed record keeping. Snorkeling and/or diving in exhibits may be required.

Duties will include monitoring water chemistry, maintaining exhibits, diagnosing and treats fish diseases, prepping and feeding animal diets, cleaning back areas, etc. Other duties as assigned.

Please remember that due to the nature of our business, we work when others play in a building that operates 365 days of the year! You will be expected to be regularly available to work any shift during, before or after the normal hours of operation.

Thank you for your interest in Ripley’s Aquarium. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted further.

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