Animal caregiver vs laboratory animal caretaker

The differences between animal caregivers and laboratory animal caretakers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an animal caregiver has an average salary of $27,665, which is higher than the $26,564 average annual salary of a laboratory animal caretaker.

The top three skills for an animal caregiver include pigs, PET and animal handling. The most important skills for a laboratory animal caretaker are ventilation, safety procedures, and pigs.

Animal caregiver vs laboratory animal caretaker overview

	Animal Caregiver	Laboratory Animal Caretaker
Yearly salary	$27,665	$26,564
Hourly rate	$13.30	$12.77
Growth rate	28%	19%
Number of jobs	57,251	45,979
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age	32	29
Years of experience	3	-

What does an animal caregiver do?

An animal caretaker is primarily in charge of the welfare and safety of animals in a particular area. They may work at veterinary shops and clinics, private institutions, kennels, animal shelters, and even zoos. Although their responsibilities vary on the animals and their place of employment, it typically includes feeding, bathing, grooming, exercising, and petting. There are also instances where they must clean and sanitize cages, prepare meals, administer vitamins and medication, and monitor their behavior.

What does a laboratory animal caretaker do?

A laboratory animal caretaker is in charge of monitoring and taking care of animals in a research facility or similar setting, ensuring to handle them properly and humanely. Their responsibilities include feeding the animals, examining them for any diseases or injuries, gathering and preparing samples, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas. Furthermore, as a laboratory animal caretaker, it is essential to provide research and clerical assistance to staff, all while upholding the laboratory's safety policies and regulations.

Animal caregiver vs laboratory animal caretaker salary

Animal caregivers and laboratory animal caretakers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Animal Caregiver	Laboratory Animal Caretaker
Average salary	$27,665	$26,564
Salary range	Between $20,000 And $36,000	Between $19,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City	-	Baltimore, MD
Highest paying state	-	North Dakota
Best paying company	-	Charles River Center
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between animal caregiver and laboratory animal caretaker education

There are a few differences between an animal caregiver and a laboratory animal caretaker in terms of educational background:

	Animal Caregiver	Laboratory Animal Caretaker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	Stanford University	Cornell University

Animal caregiver vs laboratory animal caretaker demographics

Here are the differences between animal caregivers' and laboratory animal caretakers' demographics:

	Animal Caregiver	Laboratory Animal Caretaker
Average age	32	29
Gender ratio	Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5%	Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 2.8% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 68.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	11%	10%

Differences between animal caregiver and laboratory animal caretaker duties and responsibilities

Animal caregiver example responsibilities.

Assist in managing shelter for animals and arranging for adoption or euthanasia of confiscate animals.
Educate pet owners about illnesses, medications, and general care, and answer their questions and concerns.
Walk all dogs, and occasionally strange animals such as pigs.
Create neighborhood service providing in-home pet care including; leash walks, off leash socials, and cat care.
Assist veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants in providing the best care possible for patients.
Provide routine grooming including brushing and clipping claws.

Laboratory animal caretaker example responsibilities.

Manage pigs, sheep, chickens, horses, etc.-fed/groom animals-Assisted with animal theme events-Assured customers' safe positive interactions with animals
Assist in managing shelter for animals and arranging for adoption or euthanasia of confiscate animals.
Care for animals involve in laboratory research such as rats, mice, pigs, rabbits, toads, and squirrels.
Perform grooming duties such as; washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails and cleaning ears.
Complete physical checks and monitor patients to detect unusual or harmful behavior and report observations to professional staff.
Keep animals account update through Avimark.

Animal caregiver vs laboratory animal caretaker skills

Common animal caregiver skills

Pigs, 51%
PET, 19%
Animal Handling, 5%
Animal Shelter, 3%
General Care, 3%
Facility Laundry, 2%

Common laboratory animal caretaker skills

Ventilation, 19%
Safety Procedures, 15%
Pigs, 12%
Animal Species, 6%
Insemination, 6%
Research Animals, 5%

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Animal Caregiver vs Laboratory Animal Caretaker

Updated January 8, 2025

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