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Columbus Zoo and Aquarium salaries
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium salary estimate
$13.23hourly
Understanding Salaries at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The average salary at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium stands at $27,513, reflecting a broad range of compensation based on job roles and departments. For example, top earners include community relations specialists with an average salary of $35,901, interpreters at $34,723, and event coordinators earning $34,273. In contrast, positions such as bartenders and party hosts earn significantly less, averaging around $23,675.
Salaries by Department
Salaries also differ across departments. Employees in research and development earn the highest average salary of $35,804, while those in marketing receive about $32,212. Conversely, the hospitality and service departments report lower averages, with employees earning around $26,797.
Comparative Insights
When compared to competitors like Johnny Appleseed Elementary and Zoo New England, where average salaries are $42,133 and $38,570 respectively, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium offers competitive pay within the industry.
Highest paying jobs at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The highest paying jobs at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are community relations specialist, interpreter, event coordinator, and regional assistant. Community relations specialist jobs at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium earn an average yearly salary of $35,901, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium interpreter jobs average $34,723, and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium event coordinator jobs average $34,273.
The lowest paying Columbus Zoo and Aquarium roles include bartender and party host. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium bartender average salary is $23,675 per year. So while the average Columbus Zoo and Aquarium salary is $27,513 there is a big variation in pay depending on the role.
Highest paying jobs at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
| Rank | Job title | Average Columbus Zoo and Aquarium salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Community Relations Specialist | $35,901 | $17.26 |
| 2 | Interpreter | $34,723 | $16.69 |
| 3 | Event Coordinator | $34,273 | $16.48 |
| 4 | Regional Assistant | $32,568 | $15.66 |
| 5 | Team Leader | $32,189 | $15.48 |
| 6 | Emergency Medical Technician | $31,932 | $15.35 |
| 7 | Security Officer | $31,862 | $15.32 |
| 8 | Member, Technical Staff | $31,416 | $15.10 |
| 9 | Loss Prevention Agent | $30,310 | $14.57 |
| 10 | Warehouse Worker | $30,282 | $14.56 |
| 11 | Loss Prevention Officer | $30,170 | $14.50 |
| 12 | Cook | $29,267 | $14.07 |
| 13 | Security Dispatcher | $29,025 | $13.95 |
| 14 | Nutrition Assistant | $29,007 | $13.95 |
| 15 | Graduate Research Student | $28,257 | $13.59 |
| 16 | Volunteer | $28,147 | $13.53 |
| 17 | Seasonal Associate | $28,030 | $13.48 |
| 18 | Education Instructor | $27,653 | $13.29 |
| 19 | Internship | $27,211 | $13.08 |
| 20 | Art Instructor | $27,093 | $13.03 |
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Columbus Zoo and Aquarium salaries by department
Salaries at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium vary depending on the department you work in. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium salaries in the research & development department are the highest with an average salary of $35,804. Employees in the marketing department at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium receive relatively high salaries as well, with an average salary of $32,212 per year. Departments that don't pay as well at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium include the plant/manufacturing and the hospitality/service organizational functions, with employees earning average salaries of $25,641 and $26,797, respectively.
Average Columbus Zoo and Aquarium salary by department
| Rank | Department | Average Columbus Zoo and Aquarium salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Research & Development | $35,804 | $17.21 |
| 2 | Marketing | $32,212 | $15.49 |
| 3 | Warehouse | $30,000 | $14.42 |
| 4 | Customer Service | $29,291 | $14.08 |
| 5 | Healthcare | $28,836 | $13.86 |
| 6 | Retail | $28,819 | $13.86 |
| 7 | Facilities | $28,484 | $13.69 |
| 8 | Administrative | $28,145 | $13.53 |
| 9 | Education | $28,006 | $13.46 |
| 10 | Sales | $27,525 | $13.23 |
| 11 | Hospitality/Service | $26,797 | $12.88 |
| 12 | Plant/Manufacturing | $25,641 | $12.33 |
How much does Columbus Zoo and Aquarium pay by department?
Best paying Columbus Zoo and Aquarium hospitality/service salaries
| Rank | Position | Average Columbus Zoo and Aquarium salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kitchen Manager | $40,052 | $19.26 |
| 2 | Interpreter | $34,723 | $16.69 |
| 3 | Kitchen Supervisor | $31,645 | $15.21 |
| 4 | Catering Assistant | $29,295 | $14.08 |
| 5 | Cook | $29,267 | $14.07 |
| 6 | Camp Leader | $28,171 | $13.54 |
| 7 | Guest Relations Representative | $26,644 | $12.81 |
| 8 | Barista | $26,094 | $12.55 |
| 9 | Food Service Worker | $25,529 | $12.27 |
| 10 | Docent | $24,943 | $11.99 |
| 11 | Caterer | $24,610 | $11.83 |
| 12 | Concession Worker | $24,575 | $11.81 |
| 13 | Tour Guide | $24,486 | $11.77 |
| 14 | Food And Beverage Server | $24,064 | $11.57 |
| 15 | Server And Hostess | $23,966 | $11.52 |
| 16 | Camp Counselor | $23,820 | $11.45 |
| 17 | Party Host | $23,720 | $11.40 |
| 18 | Bartender | $23,676 | $11.38 |
Best paying Columbus Zoo and Aquarium retail salaries
| Rank | Position | Average Columbus Zoo and Aquarium salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Store Manager And Buyer | $43,025 | $20.69 |
| 2 | Team Leader | $32,189 | $15.48 |
| 3 | Senior Team Lead | $30,633 | $14.73 |
| 4 | Seasonal Associate | $28,030 | $13.48 |
| 5 | Associate Retailer | $27,605 | $13.27 |
| 6 | Department Lead | $27,477 | $13.21 |
| 7 | Box Office Attendant | $26,105 | $12.55 |
| 8 | Cashier | $26,077 | $12.54 |
Best paying Columbus Zoo and Aquarium plant/manufacturing salaries
| Rank | Position | Average Columbus Zoo and Aquarium salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water Quality Technician | $29,569 | $14.22 |
| 2 | Manufacturing Team Member | $26,549 | $12.76 |
| 3 | Maintenance Team Member | $25,885 | $12.44 |
| 4 | Ride Operator | $25,352 | $12.19 |
| 5 | Ride Attendant | $24,074 | $11.57 |
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium competitors’ average salaries
Average salaries at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium competitors, like Johnny Appleseed Elementary, Zoo New England, and Saint Louis Zoo, vary. Johnny Appleseed Elementary employees earn the highest salaries, with an average yearly salary of $42,133. The average salary at Zoo New England is $38,570 per year, and the average salary at Saint Louis Zoo is $38,344 per year.
Highest paying Columbus Zoo and Aquarium competitors
| Rank | Company name | Zippia score | Average salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnny Appleseed Elementary | 3.9 | $42,133 |
| 2 | Zoo New England | 3.7 | $38,570 |
| 3 | Saint Louis Zoo | 3.2 | $38,344 |
| 4 | Harvey Cedars Bible Conference | 3.6 | $37,120 |
| 5 | Oregon Coast Aquarium | 4.0 | $36,326 |
| 6 | The Living Desert | 4.1 | $35,449 |
| 7 | Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden | 3.8 | $35,128 |
| 8 | Denver Zoo | 4.0 | $34,716 |
| 9 | Tulsa Zoo | 3.9 | $31,791 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium | 4.3 | $31,759 |
| 11 | Lincoln Park Zoo | 4.1 | $30,934 |
| 12 | Brookfield Zoo | 4.3 | $29,948 |
| 13 | San Francisco Zoo | 4.2 | $29,747 |
| 14 | Shedd Aquarium | 4.6 | $29,544 |
| 15 | San Antonio Zoo | 3.8 | $29,396 |
| 16 | Woodland Park Zoo | 4.5 | $29,361 |
| 17 | Dallas Zoo | 3.7 | $28,925 |
| 18 | Cincinnati Zoo | 4.1 | $28,656 |
| 19 | The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium | 4.1 | $28,463 |
Recently added Columbus Zoo and Aquarium salaries
| Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonal Custodial Attendant, Third Shift | Powell, OH | 06/20/2025 | $33,392 |
| Lifeguard | Powell, OH | 04/23/2025 | $41,740 |
| Conservation Field Technician, Hellbenders | Powell, OH | 03/25/2025 | $31,305 |
| Lifeguard | Powell, OH | 03/24/2025 | $41,740 |
| Seasonal Maintenance Attendant | Powell, OH | 03/06/2025 | $31,305 |
What employees say about salary at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Different part of the zoo everyday, always meeting new people. Team leads are friendly.
All amusement parks get exhausting after a while. Not many food choices if you didn't pack.
Free lunch from zoo brands while working.
They feel like friends and honestly make the job worth it.
More dress up days or allowing earbuds/people to choose store music
I had volunteered at the zoo for two years prior, and so had the leg up.
Frequently asked questions about Columbus Zoo and Aquarium salaries
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Zippia gives an in-depth look into the details of Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, including salaries, political affiliations, employee data, and more, in order to inform job seekers about Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The employee data is based on information from people who have self-reported their past or current employments at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The data on this page is also based on data sources collected from public and open data sources on the Internet and other locations, as well as proprietary data we licensed from other companies. Sources of data may include, but are not limited to, the BLS, company filings, estimates based on those filings, H1B filings, and other public and private datasets. While we have made attempts to ensure that the information displayed are correct, Zippia is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of this information. None of the information on this page has been provided or approved by Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The data presented on this page does not represent the view of Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and its employees or that of Zippia.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium may also be known as or be related to COLUMBUS ZOOLOGICAL PARK ASSOCIATION, Columbus Zoo, Columbus Zoo And Aquarium and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.