Zoologist

Zoologists study animals both in captivity and in the wild. A zoologist may work as a zookeeper, trainer or researcher at a zoo, wildlife center, or aquarium. Their job duties include caring and feeding animals, collecting data, or conducting experiments. A zoologist may also work for a government or non-profit conservation organization gathering field data, studying animals in their natural habitats, tracking migration patterns, rehabilitating and releasing animals, and addressing threats in order to manage populations.

Most zoologists work full time and long or irregular hours. Zoologists who study animals in the wild may need to travel to remote locations all across the world for long periods at a time. Depending on the animal studied, a zoologist may need to handle potentially dangerous animals. In addition, they may need to work in really hot or cold climates, be comfortable without the modern conveniences of life, and need to be physically fit to travel over potentially difficult terrain. Zoologists working in remote locations also need to be good at independent thinking and problem solving.

Zoologists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree either in zoology or a closely related field, such as ecology. A zoologist may also earn an undergraduate degree in biology with coursework in zoology and wildlife biology, animal behavior and physiology, herpetology, mammalogy, ornithology, botany, chemistry, physics, statistics, and/or math. A master’s degree is often needed for more advanced work and a Ph.D. is necessary to lead independent research and for most university research positions.

You can get experience in zoology through volunteering or internships with the Denver Zoo, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Wild Animal Sanctuary, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, or wildlife rehabilitation centers like the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Northern Colorado Wildlife Center. Also, professional associations like The Wildlife Society, which facilitates networking of wildlife professionals through an e-newsletter, an annual conference, and working groups and The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which is a network of more than 6,000 zoo and aquarium professionals and organizations, and good places to find more information.

The median annual wage for zoologists and wildlife biologists was $66,350 in May 2020. Employment of zoologists and wildlife biologists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations.