How To Become A Laboratory Animal Caretaker: What It Is and Career Path

What is a laboratory animal caretaker and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Chase Runyan

Lab animal caretakers are also known as lab animal technicians. They provide daily care for the animals in medical and scientific labs. This includes feeding them, cleaning their cages, and observing their general behaviors. These professionals spend a lot of time around these animals, and so, they make direct and indirect contributions to the research process.

Laboratory animal caretakers also sterilize lab equipment to be used on the animals. They disinfect the cages, prepare animal blood and tissue samples, and aid the scientists in whatever animal-related help they need.

As a laboratory animal caretaker, they are supervised by the head scientist in the lab. They're required to perform other research-inclined tasks like developing radiographs, recording the animal's history, and administering medication.

To become a laboratory animal caretaker, applicants need a high school diploma or a two-year associate's degree in animal care and veterinary fields. The career path can be highly variable, so people with different educational backgrounds may also qualify. They'll also need to be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

What's a day at work look like for a laboratory animal caretaker?

Dr. Chase Runyan

Associate Professor, Department Chair, Director of MIR/Research Scientist, Angelo State University

Because agriculture industries are so diverse in their nature, it is nearly impossible to gauge what a work day might look like.

ScoreLaboratory Animal CaretakerUS Average

Salary

2.1

Avg. Salary $26,564

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.2

Growth rate 19%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

0.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.14%

Asian 3.23%

Black or African American 2.73%

Hispanic or Latino 18.22%

Unknown 6.87%

White 68.81%

Gender

female 71.74%

male 28.26%

Age - 27

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 27

Stress level

7.2

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

4.6

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a laboratory animal caretaker

Explore laboratory animal caretaker education requirements

Most common laboratory animal caretaker degrees

Bachelor's

41.6 %

High School Diploma

30.2 %

Associate

18.0 %

Start to develop specific laboratory animal caretaker skills

Skills	Percentages
Ventilation	19.40%
Safety Procedures	14.91%
Pigs	11.67%
Animal Species	6.27%
Insemination	6.01%

Complete relevant laboratory animal caretaker training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New laboratory animal caretakers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a laboratory animal caretaker based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real laboratory animal caretaker resumes.

Gain additional laboratory animal caretaker certifications

Laboratory animal caretaker certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific laboratory animal caretaker certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for laboratory animal caretakers include Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.

More About Certifications

Research laboratory animal caretaker duties and 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.

Prepare your laboratory animal caretaker resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your laboratory animal caretaker resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a laboratory animal caretaker resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable laboratory animal caretaker resume templates

Build a professional laboratory animal caretaker resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your laboratory animal caretaker resume.