- Guest Contributor
- December 15, 2022
Have you ever cuddled with a kitten or played with a puppy and thought, “Imagine if I could get paid for this?” Well guess what – you can! The gig economy is full of job opportunities for animal lovers, and many of them pay surprisingly well. Here are twenty jobs to look out for as you turn your passion for animals into a part-time job.
1. Pet photographer
Median monthly income: $3,780
Median hourly rate: $16
Primary duties
Pet photographers accept commissions to take pictures of people’s pets. Some photographers find jobs with existing studios, while others work on their own as freelancers. As you capture the best possible photos, you’ll spend plenty of time interacting with your furry, lovable models.
2. Pet store employee
Median monthly income: $2,200
Median hourly rate: $13
Primary duties
Pet store employees help care for animals, stock shelves, and deal with customers. Depending on the size of the store, you might be able to find a job working in a particular department that matches your interests. Whether you’re a fish fanatic or a total puppy lover, you can probably land a pet store gig that will place you among your favorite animals.
3. Dog walker
Median monthly income: $2,600
Median hourly rate: $16
Primary duties
Dog walkers take dogs for strolls around parks or neighborhoods, often while the owners are away. The job exists at various levels of formality – you can make simple arrangements with acquaintances or build up your very own business. Digital applications can make it easier for aspiring walkers to meet prospective clients.
4. Dog sitter
Median monthly income: $2,700
Median hourly rate: $13
Primary duties
Dog sitters care for dogs while the owners are away. In some cases, the sitter stays at the owner’s residence. In others, the sitter brings the dog to their own home.
5. Horseback riding instructor
Median monthly income: $4,200
Median hourly rate: $27
Primary duties
Horseback riding instructors give lessons to aspiring riders, many of whom are children. Some students will want basic riding lessons, while others will need more advanced instruction related to show riding and jumping. This is a great option for anyone with extensive horseback riding experience.
6. Farmhand
Median monthly income: $1,600
Median hourly rate: $13
Primary duties
Farmhands provide the manual labor necessary to keep America’s agricultural sector up and running. Common tasks include harvesting crops, applying fertilizer, and handling livestock.
7. Animal control officer
Median monthly income: $4,400
Median hourly rate: $19
Primary duties
Animal control officers help care for animals that, for whatever reason, require state intervention. Cases often involve animal mistreatment, although it’s also possible to encounter animals that are dangerous, threatened, or abandoned.
8. Veterinarian
Median monthly income: $8,600
Median hourly rate: $49
Primary duties
A veterinarian provides medical care for all sorts of animals, from household pets to livestock. Common tasks include examining animals, diagnosing ailments, conducting surgeries, and prescribing medications. While becoming a licensed veterinarian requires a degree, you can work in a veterinarian’s office in some other capacity on a part-time basis.
9. Veterinary assistant
Median monthly income: $2,700
Median hourly rate: $16
Primary duties
As the job title suggests, veterinary assistants help a licensed veterinarian with daily tasks. Duties include weighing animals, soothing or holding pets during examinations, sterilizing equipment, and cleaning cages or other parts of the facilities.
10. Veterinary receptionist
Median monthly income: $2,300
Median hourly rate: $18
Primary duties
A veterinary receptionist assists with the administrative side of a veterinarian’s office. Common tasks include answering phone calls, processing payments, opening mail, and arranging appointments. While this job doesn’t involve working directly with animals, you’ll still encounter plenty of adorable pets in and around the office.
11. Animal trainer
Median monthly income: $2,600
Median hourly rate: $18
Primary duties
Animal trainers conduct training sessions meant to improve an animal’s obedience or performance. Some trainers help owners teach their pets to obey basic commands. Others develop a niche offering specialized training for service animals.
12. Zookeeper
Median monthly income: $2,600
Median hourly rate: $17
Primary duties
Zookeepers care for animals in a zoo or similar public facility. Common tasks include feeding animals, cleaning enclosures, and discussing animal behaviors with visitors.
13. Zoologist or wildlife biologist
Median monthly income: $6,900
Median hourly rate: $37
Primary duties
Zoologists and wildlife biologists carry out studies on wild animals and their behaviors. While most full-time zoologists have an advanced degree, you could find part-time work as an assistant.
14. Pet massage therapist
Median monthly income: $4,700
Median hourly rate: $50
Primary duties
Pet massage therapists provide the types of therapies we’re used to hearing about for people – but for pets! Dogs and cats can get just as sore as people, especially as they age. Massage therapists help give these ailing animals some relief.
15. Obedience trainer
Median monthly income: $3,200
Median hourly rate: $14
Primary duties
Obedience trainers help improve pets’ behavior through ethical training methods. Most obedience training focuses on dogs, the household pet that’s most amenable to training.
16. Animal groomer
Median monthly income: $3,000
Median hourly rate: $17
Primary duties
Animal groomers are like barbers for pets, using scissors and clippers to give animals a fresh new look. If you’re handy with clippers, you can probably find a job at a pet store that offers grooming on the side.
17. Pet care blogger
Median monthly income: $3,800
Median hourly rate: $15
Primary duties
Pet care bloggers share their expertise about animals through informative online articles. Try writing guest posts on other people’s blogs to build your reputation, then start a blog of your own. With advertisements on your page, you can carve out a lucrative online space.
18. Animal rescuer
Median monthly income: $15,800
Median hourly rate: $1,354
Primary duties
Animal rescuers are highly trained specialists who save animals from dangerous situations. While it might be hard to land such a job with little or no experience, you can start working at a shelter with an eye toward eventually becoming a rescuer.
19. Kennel assistant
Median monthly income: $2,200
Median hourly rate: $16
Primary duties
Kennel assistants help care for the dogs staying at a kennel. You’ll be responsible for feeding, exercising, and entertaining dogs – all activities that true dog lovers enjoy!
20. Animal shelter assistant
Median monthly income: $2,700
Median hourly rate: $19
Primary duties
Animal shelter assistants help care for the animals residing in a shelter. Common tasks include feeding the animals, providing comfort, and cleaning cages. This is a rewarding job for anyone who wants to help distressed animals find a permanent home.
When you work with animals, every day feels like “bring your pet to work day” – and what could be better than that!? Pets are becoming an ever-bigger part of the American landscape, and pet-related industries are growing every year. You can take advantage by finding a job that pays well and surrounds you with the animals you adore.
Ready to join the Jobbler community?
About the Author: Ben Clabault is a freelance writer from Sandwich, Massachusetts. He has spent much of his adult life traveling through Latin America. He currently lives with his fiance in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. His areas of expertise include travel, marketing, SaaS, and global cultures. You can find his work on Copyfolio and reach out to him on LinkedIn.
