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

What is a nonfarm animal caretaker and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Chase Runyan

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a nonfarm animal caretaker. For example, did you know that they make an average of $14.39 an hour? That's $29,938 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 28% and produce 101,200 job opportunities across the U.S.

What's a day at work look like for a nonfarm 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.

ScoreNonfarm Animal CaretakerUS Average

Salary

2.3

Avg. Salary $29,938

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.7

Growth rate 28%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

1.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.45%

Asian 2.39%

Black or African American 3.48%

Hispanic or Latino 12.78%

Unknown 6.33%

White 74.57%

Gender

female 82.98%

male 17.02%

Age - 29

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 - 29

Stress level

6.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

8.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a nonfarm animal caretaker

Explore nonfarm animal caretaker education requirements

Most common nonfarm animal caretaker degrees

Bachelor's

38.9 %

High School Diploma

27.8 %

Associate

16.7 %

Start to develop specific nonfarm animal caretaker skills

Skills	Percentages
Coats	25.00%
Mental Health	18.42%
Animal Species	14.86%
Food Supplements	14.12%
Schedule Appointments	14.10%

Complete relevant nonfarm animal caretaker training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New nonfarm 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 nonfarm animal caretaker based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real nonfarm animal caretaker resumes.

Research nonfarm 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
Sanitize facility equipment using tunnel and rack washers, acidify watering systems, and autoclaves for sterilization.
Experience with caring for various species of domestic pets, including snakes.

Prepare your nonfarm animal caretaker resume

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

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