To become a zookeeper, you need an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in zoology, animal science, zoo technology, or animal management. In addition to your educational qualifications, unpaid and paid internships are an excellent way to gain experience and make connections with hiring managers in the zoo industry. Volunteering at your local zoo while you are in high school or taking post-secondary classes is also a great way to get hands-on experience working with animals. As you advance in your career to senior zookeeper positions, you may have the opportunity to work on animal conservation in the wild.

If you are interested in a job related to Zookeeper, here are some popular related job searches with the most open positions on ZipRecruiter.

Top Types Of Zookeeper Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying Zookeeper positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

National Zoo
Salary range: $97,000 - $125,000
National Zoo is a common job search query. Most salaries for National Zoo jobs pay between $97,000 (25th percentile) and $125,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for National Zoo job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Wild Animal Safari
Salary range: $36,000 - $52,000
Wild Animal Safari is a typical job search query Most salaries for Wild Animal Safari jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $52,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Wild Animal Safari job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Online Zoology
Salary range: $25,000 - $43,500
Online Zoology is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Online Zoology jobs pay between $25,000 (25th percentile) and $43,500 (75th percentile) annually. There are plenty of open positions nationwide for Online Zoology job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Wildlife World Zoo
Salary range: $46,500 - $74,000
Wildlife World Zoo is a common job search query. Most salaries for Wildlife World Zoo jobs pay between $46,500 (25th percentile) and $74,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Wildlife World Zoo job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Aza Zoo
Salary range: $62,000 - $82,500
Aza Zoo is a popular job search query. Most salaries for Aza Zoo jobs pay between $62,000 (25th percentile) and $82,500 (75th percentile) annually. There are plenty of open positions nationwide for Aza Zoo job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Museum Curriculum
Salary range: $34,000 - $55,500
Museum Curriculum is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Museum Curriculum jobs pay between $34,000 (25th percentile) and $55,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Museum Curriculum job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Radnor
Salary range: $67,500 - $130,500
Radnor is a common job search query. Most salaries for Radnor jobs pay between $67,500 (25th percentile) and $130,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Radnor job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Internship Zoo
Salary range: $26,000 - $36,500
Internship Zoo is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Internship Zoo jobs pay between $26,000 (25th percentile) and $36,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Internship Zoo job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Zoo Lights
Salary range: $48,000 - $68,000
Zoo Lights is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Zoo Lights jobs pay between $48,000 (25th percentile) and $68,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Zoo Lights job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx Zoo
Salary range: $46,500 - $74,000
Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx Zoo is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx Zoo jobs pay between $46,500 (25th percentile) and $74,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx Zoo job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

All Jobs Zookeeper Jobs 10 of the Most Popular Types of Zookeeper Jobs in 2026