Zoologist
Studies animals: how they behave, evolve, fall ill and interact with their habitats, both in the wild and in captivity.
Zoologists work in universities, research institutes, zoos, conservation bodies, government and the farming and pharmaceutical industries. It suits someone curious about animal life who is happy to travel for fieldwork and then spend long stretches on data and writing.
Also called Wildlife biologist, Conservation biologist or Fisheries biologist.
At a glance
- Way in
- Bachelor's degree, often in zoology, animal behaviour, conservation biology, marine biology and environmental biology
- Pay in the US
- $76,780 a year, the medianFor zoologists and wildlife biologists, 2025
- Pay in the UK
- £23,000 starting to £48,000 with experience
- US outlook
- Average, 2025-2035
- Suits you if
- Animals fascinate you and you like a mix of fieldwork, lab work and writing.
Pay is a guide: it moves with the country, the employer, the sector and the years in the job. Figures from O*NET OnLine (US) and the National Careers Service (UK); see the sources below.
The work
What does a zoologist do?
- Observe and record animals in the wild or in captivity
- Collect samples and run lab work on animal genetics, disease or physiology
- Monitor populations of species and track how they change over time
- Analyse data and write reports, talks and journal papers
- Advise on how changes to land and water use affect wildlife
Where they work
- Universities and research institutes
- Zoos and wildlife parks
- Conservation organisations
- Government wildlife agencies
- Farming and pharmaceutical firms
Skills
The skills a zoologist needs
- Animal biologyanatomy, behaviour, evolution and ecology
- Field skillstracking, trapping and careful recording
- Data analysisstatistics and software for large datasets
- Scientific writingreports, papers and grant bids
- Teamworkworking with field crews and lab colleagues
- Patiencelong hours watching for small changes
Route in
How to become a zoologist
- Take biology at A level, or equivalent, with another science or maths
- Complete a degree in zoology or a related subject, ideally with a placement year
- Volunteer or intern with wildlife, zoo or conservation organisations
- Take a master's or PhD if you want to lead research projects
Degrees people take
- Zoology
- Animal behaviour
- Conservation biology
- Marine biology
- Environmental biology
Practise for it
The quizzes and tools that fit
- Ecology quizzes
- Climate Change15 questions
- Biomes15 questions
- Biodiversity15 questions
- Physiology quizzes
- Exercise Physiology15 questions
- Puberty15 questions
- Blood Clotting15 questions
- Entomology quizzes
- Insects as Vectors15 questions
- Major Insect Orders15 questions
- Social Insects15 questions
Also on biofideX
Next to it
Careers to weigh against it
Environment
Ecologist
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $82,220
- UK
- £24,000–£50,000
Environment
Marine Biologist
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $76,780
Environment
Conservation Officer
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $73,010
- UK
- £22,000–£34,000
Environment
Animal Scientist
- Way in
- Master's
- US
- $68,940
Patient care
Veterinarian
- Way in
- Professional degree
- US
- $130,100
- UK
- £32,000–£65,000
Sources
Where the facts come from
Written for biofideX from these public sources. The pay figures are theirs, copied as published, last read 2026-10-25.
- O*NET OnLine: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (19-1023.00)(CC BY 4.0)
- National Careers Service: Zoologist(Open Government Licence v3.0)
Requirements differ by country and change over time; check with the body that registers the profession where you will work. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll correct it.
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