Animal handler vs animal daycare provider

The differences between animal handlers and animal daycare providers 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 daycare provider. Additionally, an animal daycare provider has an average salary of $30,390, which is higher than the $27,820 average annual salary of an animal handler.

The top three skills for an animal handler include animal handling, goats and animal species. The most important skills for an animal daycare provider are child care, nutritional meals, and CPR.

Animal handler vs animal daycare provider overview

	Animal Handler	Animal Daycare Provider
Yearly salary	$27,820	$30,390
Hourly rate	$13.38	$14.61
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	28,040	42,565
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	High School Diploma, 36%
Average age	32	32
Years of experience	3	3

Animal handler vs animal daycare provider salary

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

	Animal Handler	Animal Daycare Provider
Average salary	$27,820	$30,390
Salary range	Between $19,000 And $40,000	Between $19,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between animal handler and animal daycare provider education

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

	Animal Handler	Animal Daycare Provider
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	High School Diploma, 36%
Most common major	Biology	Business
Most common college	Northwestern University	University of Pennsylvania

Animal handler vs animal daycare provider demographics

Here are the differences between animal handlers' and animal daycare providers' demographics:

	Animal Handler	Animal Daycare Provider
Average age	32	32
Gender ratio	Male, 38.8% Female, 61.2%	Male, 6.2% Female, 93.8%
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, 5.3% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 2.9% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between animal handler and animal daycare provider 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 daycare provider example responsibilities.

Assist children in learning numbers, ABC's and colors.
Teach children basic daily living skills such as washing hands, toileting, ABC's and numbers.
Maintain all safety and health standards as well as ensured up to date training including CPR and first aid.
Administer learning materials, provide one-on-on tutoring and supervise kids during time of play.
Maintain nutritional guidelines consistent with USDA guidelines

Animal handler vs animal daycare provider skills

Common animal handler skills

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

Common animal daycare provider skills

Child Care, 72%
Nutritional Meals, 13%
CPR, 5%
Social Development, 2%
Quality Care, 1%
Developmental Problems, 1%

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Personal Care and Attendants Industry
Animal Handler
Animal Handler vs Animal Daycare Provider

Updated January 8, 2025

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