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Working Animals Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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$19

How much do working animals jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for working animals in Chicago, IL is $14.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.12 and $15.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a working animal?

Working animals are animals that have been trained to perform specific tasks or services for humans. These roles can include herding livestock, pulling carts or plows, providing transportation, assisting people with disabilities, performing search and rescue, or even detecting drugs and explosives. Common examples include horses, dogs, donkeys, and oxen. Working animals have played a significant role in human societies throughout history and continue to be important in many industries and communities today.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to work with working animals?

To excel as an animal trainer for working animals, you need a strong understanding of animal behavior, training techniques, and relevant animal care practices, often supported by a high school diploma or animal science coursework. Familiarity with positive reinforcement tools, clicker training systems, and animal handling equipment is typically required. Patience, clear communication, and observational skills are crucial soft skills that help build trust and ensure effective training. These competencies are vital for ensuring the safety, well-being, and optimal performance of working animals in professional settings.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working with service or therapy animals, and how can these be managed?

Professionals who work with service or therapy animals often encounter challenges such as maintaining the animals’ training and behavior standards, ensuring their health and well-being, and fostering effective communication between the animal and handler. It’s also common to navigate public misconceptions and access issues when bringing animals into various environments. Managing these challenges involves ongoing education, regular health check-ups for the animals, and strong teamwork with both human and animal partners. Support from experienced colleagues and continuing professional development are also valuable in overcoming these daily obstacles.

What is the difference between Working Animals vs Search and Rescue Dogs?

AspectWorking AnimalsSearch and Rescue Dogs
Required CredentialsBasic training, certifications vary by taskAdvanced training, certifications in search and rescue techniques
Work EnvironmentFarms, farms, urban areas, specialized environmentsDisaster sites, wilderness, urban search zones
Employer & IndustryAgriculture, transportation, service industriesEmergency services, rescue organizations

Working Animals encompass a broad range of animals trained for various tasks across industries, while Search and Rescue Dogs are specifically trained to locate missing persons in disaster or wilderness scenarios. Both roles require specialized training, but Search and Rescue Dogs undergo more intensive certification processes and operate primarily in emergency environments. Understanding these differences helps clarify their unique functions and training requirements.

What careers let you work with working animals?

Careers involving working animals include roles such as animal trainer, equine veterinarian, livestock handler, search and rescue dog handler, and zoo keeper. These jobs often require specialized training, certifications, and hands-on experience working directly with animals in various environments like farms, shelters, or training facilities.

What are popular job titles related to Working Animals jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Working Animals jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Working Animals jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Working Animals jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Working Animals jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Working Animals job openings:

Working Animals jobs near you
Infographic showing various Working Animals job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $29,566 per year, or $14.2 per hour.

Certified Veterinary Technician - Ophthalmology Practice Leader

Saint Charles, IL • On-site

Eye Care for Animals St Charles
See more jobs at Eye Care for Animals St Charlesexternal

$28 - $32/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Description

Certified Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Assistant-Practice Lead 

Eye Care for Animals-St Charles 

Full-time

Schedule: -M-F 7a-4:30p 

If you are interested in a unique opportunity to be a part of something great and want to lead a team of professionals dedicated to providing excellent patient and customer care, this is the opportunity you have been looking for!
Job Overview:

At Eye Care for Animals, a Thrive Pet Healthcare Partner, the Practice Leader (PL) is critical to the success of the hospital, ensuring a positive culture built on shared values and direct communication, creating operational efficiencies, and problem-solving to improve client service and employee engagement. This position is 70% Veterinary Assistant/Technician and 30% Practice Leader. Typically, the PL is the “Integrator” on the hospital’s accountability chart and participates in the Thrive Planning leadership meetings. The manager exercises sound judgment, and the willingness and capability to make decisions. 

The PL oversees the business activities of the hospital, including hiring and training hospital staff; working with Eye Care for Animals Leadership team to prepare and manage budgets; monitoring and analyzing key performance indicators; maintaining inventory and an inventory control system, and implementing safety and security procedures. 

Culture and Work Environment 

  • Communicates the practice’s values and mission to the team. Motivates staff and helps build and maintain morale.
  • Upholds core values and standards.
  • Holds regular staff meetings, including a component of mandatory training on standards of service and standards of care.
  • Promotes a cooperative working environment among staff members; understands the value of teamwork.
  • Is enthusiastically willing to perform as necessary to help the hospital function as a unit.
  • Promotes continuous quality improvement (CQI) to ensure the practice’s success and achieve the vision.

Qualifications 

  • 5+ years of veterinary technician experience preferred
  • Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT/LVT/RVT) licensure preferred, NOT required--we are open to a veterinary assistant with strong leadership skills
  • Proficient in IV catheters placement, blood work, and IV, IM, and SQ injections
  • Proficient in monitoring anesthesia and working with various monitoring equipment
  • Team player
  • Ability to analyze various sources of data in order to establish priorities and initiate operational programs
  • Sound personal judgment in decision-making
  • Capable of leading, managing, and coaching staff at all levels
  • Demonstrated competence in all aspects of staff management, including hiring and firing
  • Demonstrated ability to show empathy toward clients and treat animals with respect and compassion.
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
  • A commitment to outstanding client service.
  • Demonstrated competence in budgeting and financial reporting, including reading and analyzing a P&L statement
  • Solid math and Excel/spreadsheet skills.
  • Three years of supervisory experience.
  • Preferred: three years or more of managing a veterinary practice.
  • Ability to lift objects weighing 40 pounds without assistance and objects weighing more than 40 pounds with assistance.
  • Availability to occasionally work uncommon hours and overtime, and to be subject to recall for business emergencies.

Why work at the Eye Care for Animals St Charles? 

We have a passion for supporting an emotionally intelligent atmosphere with a culture that understands the importance of a great work/life balance!  This area is a wonderful place to live and work!

Benefits – our care in action      

We provide benefits spread comprehensively across your mental, physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing designed to meet your needs as a unique individual. Some key benefits include:      

  • Competitive compensation-$28-32/hr​​​​​​-Thrive reviews performance and compensation as part of its approach to recognizing contributions and supporting competitive growth
  • Practice Leader Bonus--in addition to hourly compensation
  • Sign-On bonus-$5,000
  • Paid time off including 8-weeks of full-pay parental leave, bereavement to grieve both humans and pets, and time off for new pet adoptions 
  • Top quality medical, dental, and vision insurance plus health savings account and flexible spending account ​​​​​​​  
  • Pet perks including free exams, discounts on products and services, and more at all Thrive Pet Healthcare locations 
  • Generously subsidized backup and ongoing care support for children, adults, and pets  
  • Mental health benefits including coaching and therapy sessions 
  • 401k program 
  • Continuing education and development support through our library of free CE courses and 3 days PTO to complete 

Compensation negotiable based on credentials and experience with an hourly pay rate starting at $27 - $31 / hour. The actual rate offered will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.       
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