Animal handler vs animal caregiver

The differences between animal handlers and animal caregivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-3 months to become both an animal handler and an animal caregiver. Additionally, an animal handler has an average salary of $27,820, which is higher than the $27,665 average annual salary of an animal caregiver.

The top three skills for an animal handler include animal handling, goats and animal species. The most important skills for an animal caregiver are pigs, PET, and animal handling.

Animal handler vs animal caregiver overview

	Animal Handler	Animal Caregiver
Yearly salary	$27,820	$27,665
Hourly rate	$13.38	$13.30
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	28,040	57,251
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	32	32
Years of experience	3	3

Animal handler vs animal caregiver salary

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

	Animal Handler	Animal Caregiver
Average salary	$27,820	$27,665
Salary range	Between $19,000 And $40,000	Between $20,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between animal handler and animal caregiver education

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

	Animal Handler	Animal Caregiver
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	Northwestern University	Stanford University

Animal handler vs animal caregiver demographics

Here are the differences between animal handlers' and animal caregivers' demographics:

	Animal Handler	Animal Caregiver
Average age	32	32
Gender ratio	Male, 38.8% Female, 61.2%	Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.6% White, 68.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	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%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between animal handler and animal caregiver duties and responsibilities

Animal handler example responsibilities.

Handle, dogs pigs, donkey, and horses.
Assist veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants in providing the best care possible for patients.
Provide environmental enrichment for various mammal and raptor species.

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.

Animal handler vs animal caregiver skills

Common animal handler skills

Animal Handling, 55%
Goats, 13%
Animal Species, 8%
Exotic Animals, 4%
Zoo Animals, 3%
Animal Welfare, 3%

Common animal caregiver skills

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