Top 10 High Paying Animal Care Jobs to Start in 2025
Learn which animal jobs are estimated to exceed the average growth rate in the next decade.
Animal care is no longer seen as a low-wage field. In 2025, the demand for qualified animal care professionals is rising fast—fuelled by increasing pet ownership, higher spending on animal wellness, and growing interest in animal behaviour and welfare.
If you’re passionate about working with animals and want a job that pays well, this guide covers the top 10 high-paying animal care careers you can start with the right training. Many of these roles don’t require a university degree—just the right skills and certifications.
1. Veterinary Support Assistant
- Average Salary (UK): £20,000 – £28,000
- Job Outlook: High demand in clinics and animal hospitals
Veterinary support assistants work alongside vets to manage appointments, prepare animals for treatment, and support animal handling during procedures. It’s one of the fastest ways to enter the vet field without extensive study.
Key Skills:
- Animal handling
- Record keeping
- Hygiene and safety
Learn veterinary nursing, canine CPR, and emergency care skills to support animals in clinical and home settings.
(8 ratings) · 47 already enrolled · Beginner level
Duration: 11 hours
Learn at your own pace
Skills You Will Build:
Canine CPR, pet first aid, bandaging, wound care, emergency handling, basic vet care
2. Dog Trainer and Behaviour Specialist
- Average Salary: £25,000 – £40,000 (can exceed £50K for private trainers)
- Demand: Growing in cities and suburbs
As more pet owners seek professional help for dog behaviour issues, skilled trainers are in demand. You can work independently, join a pet training agency, or run online dog behaviour consultations.
Common Services Offered:
- Obedience training
- Puppy socialisation
- Behaviour correction
Master dog behaviour, obedience training, and consultation skills for a rewarding canine career.
(6 ratings) · 542 already enrolled · Beginner level
Duration: 5 hours+
Learn at your own pace
Skills You Will Build:
Dog training, behaviour correction, client consultation, separation anxiety solutions
3. Animal Behaviourist
- Average Salary: £30,000 – £50,000
- Workplaces: Clinics, shelters, private practice
Animal behaviourists assess behavioural problems in domestic and exotic animals. They design behavioural plans and work closely with pet owners and vet professionals.
You’ll need:
- Knowledge of animal psychology
- Observation and assessment skills
Explore animal behaviour, psychology, and welfare to start a career as a certified behaviourist.
(5 ratings) · 338 already enrolled · Beginner level
Duration: 2 hours+
Learn at your own pace
Skills You Will Build:
Animal psychology, behaviour analysis, welfare assessment, pet communication
4. Pet Groomer
- Average Salary: £25,000 – £45,000
- Setup Options: Salon, mobile unit, or home-based
Pet grooming is a profitable career, especially in urban areas. Groomers offer services like fur trimming, washing, ear cleaning, and nail clipping.
Benefits of becoming a pet groomer:
- Low start-up costs
- Loyal repeat clients
- Opportunities for self-employment
Learn pet grooming, bathing, clipping, and canine care techniques for a successful grooming career.
(8 ratings) · 1316 already enrolled · Beginner level
Duration: 6 hours+
Learn at your own pace
Skills You Will Build:
Dog grooming, bathing, clipping, coat care, breed styling, pet hygiene
5. Dog Walker and Pet Sitter
- Earnings: £15 – £25/hour; Full-time income: £20,000 – £35,000
- Flexibility: Very high
With more pet owners returning to work, trusted dog walkers and sitters are in high demand. This career is perfect for those seeking flexible hours and outdoor work.
Duties include:
- Scheduled dog walking
- In-home pet care
- Feeding and medication management
Master pet sitting, dog walking, and emergency care to build a trusted pet service business.
(9 ratings) · 640 already enrolled · Beginner level
Duration: 6 hours+
Learn at your own pace
Skills You Will Build:
Pet care, dog walking, emergency response, pet nutrition, business setup, marketing
6. Animal Nutritionist
- Average Salary: £30,000 – £55,000
- Client Types: Pet owners, vets, pet food companies
Animal nutritionists create feeding plans for pets and livestock. With the rising demand for specialised diets, especially for older or allergic pets, this role has seen a sharp salary increase.
Job tasks:
- Support pet weight and health goals
- Create feeding plans
- Evaluate diet needs
Learn BARF feeding and raw diet techniques to improve canine nutrition and health naturally.
(5 ratings) · 500 already enrolled · Beginner level
Duration: 3 hours
Learn at your own pace
Skills You Will Build:
Raw feeding, BARF diet, canine nutrition, meal planning, pet health improvement
7. Zookeeper Assistant
- Average Salary: £22,000 – £32,000
- Workplace: Zoos, safari parks, wildlife centres
If you’re interested in working with exotic animals, zookeeping is a solid option. Assistants feed animals, clean enclosures, and support conservation programmes.
Daily tasks:
- Observing animal health
- Habitat care
- Animal feeding
Gain skills in animal care, hygiene, and first aid to support a wide range of domestic and exotic pets.
(5 ratings) · 770 already enrolled · Beginner level
Duration: 6 hours
Learn at your own pace
Skills You Will Build:
Animal care, hygiene, first aid, exotic pet care, zoonotic disease awareness
8. Wildlife Conservation Worker
- Average Salary: £25,000 – £45,000
- Employers: NGOs, wildlife trusts, sanctuaries
Wildlife conservationists work to protect endangered species and natural habitats. If you love animals and outdoor work, this job offers a rewarding and stable career.
Key responsibilities:
- Habitat restoration
- Monitoring species populations
- Community outreach and education
Learn to rescue, treat, and care for injured wildlife with safety and disease control skills.
(6 ratings) · 53 already enrolled · Beginner level
Duration: 3 hours+
Learn at your own pace
Skills You Will Build:
Wildlife rescue, animal handling, injury care, disease control, safety procedures
9. Equine Care Specialist
- Average Salary: £22,000 – £38,000
- Industries: Equine centres, racing stables, therapy centres
Horses need constant care. Equine care professionals handle grooming, stable management, feeding, and general health monitoring.
Daily duties:
- Cleaning and mucking out
- Feeding routines
- Assisting in horse therapy sessions
Master stable management, horse health, and safety to begin a career in professional equine care.
(5 ratings) · 391 already enrolled · Beginner level
Duration: 2 hours
Learn at your own pace
Skills You Will Build:
Horse care, stable management, equine health, feeding, disease control, yard safety
10. Animal Welfare Officer
- Average Salary: £30,000 – £45,000
- Employers: Local councils, RSPCA, DEFRA, charities
Animal welfare officers investigate neglect or cruelty cases and ensure legal standards are met for animal treatment. They play a key role in animal protection across the UK.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct site inspections
- Enforce animal welfare laws
- Educate pet owners and the public
Develop animal welfare, health, and nutrition skills to start a career ensuring animal wellbeing.
(105 ratings) · 1147 already enrolled · Beginner level
Duration: 5 hours+
Learn at your own pace
Skills You Will Build:
Animal welfare, pet nutrition, hygiene, first aid, multi-species care, health checks
Final Thoughts:
The animal care industry in 2025 is full of opportunities, whether you’re just starting or seeking a change. With flexible work settings, good pay, and increasing demand, now is the best time to qualify and work in a role you love.
All the careers listed above can be accessed without a university degree. By enrolling in certified online courses from The Animal Care, you’ll gain the qualifications to begin work quickly and confidently.
Invest in a future where your love for animals becomes a reliable source of income. Your new career starts with one course.
Start Your
Animal Career Today
- Join over 100,000 students and get CPD-accredited training
- Study at your own pace with lifetime access
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