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Animal handler vs bather

The differences between animal handlers and bathers 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 a bather. Additionally, a bather has an average salary of $31,051, 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 a bather are PET, check-in, and customer satisfaction.

Animal handler vs bather overview

Animal HandlerBather
Yearly salary$27,820$31,051
Hourly rate$13.38$14.93
Growth rate28%28%
Number of jobs28,04056,255
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%High School Diploma, 48%
Average age3232
Years of experience33

Animal handler vs bather salary

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

Animal HandlerBather
Average salary$27,820$31,051
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $40,000Between $22,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between animal handler and bather education

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

Animal HandlerBather
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%High School Diploma, 48%
Most common majorBiologyMedical Assisting Services
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityVermont Technical College

Animal handler vs bather demographics

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

Animal HandlerBather
Average age3232
Gender ratioMale, 38.8% Female, 61.2%Male, 14.2% Female, 85.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 4.3% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 2.6% White, 68.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between animal handler and bather 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.

Bather example responsibilities.

  • Manage all breeding, whelping, raising of puppies, grooming and showing of dogs for owners in the AKC.
  • Advise customers on proper pet nutrition, and pick a proper shampoo program to ensure healthy coats for individual pets.
  • Sustain pet care excellence in a dynamic and fast-pace environment
  • Read written or receive oral instructions to determine clipping pattern desire.
  • Detail orient work and recognizing signs of rashes, allergies and potential behavioral problems in dogs.
  • Bathe dogs, clip/ground nails, clean ears, brush teeth and shave paw pads/sanitary area, express anal glands.
  • Show more

Animal handler vs bather skills

Common animal handler skills
  • Animal Handling, 55%
  • Goats, 13%
  • Animal Species, 8%
  • Exotic Animals, 4%
  • Zoo Animals, 3%
  • Animal Welfare, 3%
Common bather skills
  • PET, 79%
  • Check-In, 7%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%
  • Compassion, 4%
  • Book Appointments, 2%
  • Develop Long Term, 1%

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