Do you have a passion for animals and wildlife? Do you ever wish you could live and work with animals?
You may accomplish precisely that if you become a zoologist!
However, you may have heard that a zoology degree is useless because there are limited work opportunities.
Or perhaps you are currently studying zoology and are wondering if it is worthwhile.
In this post, we’ll look at whether studying zoology (Wildlife Biologists) is worthwhile and not a waste of time.
So, Is Zoology Really Worth It?
Yes, a degree in Zoology is worthwhile if you enjoy working with animals. There are a variety of professions available; however, incomes are modest, and demand varies depending on the occupation.
A zoology career might include everything from a zookeeper to a marine biologist to a veterinary technician.
People who have chosen this professional field may study animals and their habitats, do research on a specific species, or even interact directly with animals in person, demonstrating that a zoology degree may be used for a variety of purposes.
To become a zoologist, begin volunteering in high school at zoos, animal shelters, kennels, and aquariums to gain experience working with animals. Mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics are among the courses you should take.
The next step is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in zoology or biology, including recommended electives such as genetics, botany, anthropology, evolution, animal psychology, statistics, chemistry, mathematics, ecology, conservation, and biochemistry.
A bachelor’s degree is required to become a zoologist or wildlife biologist; a master’s degree is often required for higher-level investigative or research work. A Ph.D. is required to lead independent research and be considered for most university research positions.
Graduates frequently specialize in a certain field of zoology during their education and can thus find professions targeted towards their specific area of specialization.
Because zoology is such a large field, there are several professions available to zoology majors. Some of the zoology degree jobs available include:
If you’re wondering what jobs can I get with a zoology degree?’, keep reading below
What do you do with a Zoology degree?
The following are some popular employment possibilities for students with a zoology degree.
ZooKeeper
Wage; $66,35 per year
Demand; 5% (slower than average)
Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals and other wildlife and how they interact with their ecosystems.
Zoologists and wildlife biologists work in offices, laboratories, or outdoors. Depending on their job, they may spend considerable time in the field gathering data and studying animals in their natural habitats.
Veterinary technicians and technologists
Wage: $36,260 per year
Demand; 15% (Faster than average)
Veterinary technologists and technicians do medical tests that help diagnose animals’ injuries and illnesses.
Veterinary technologists and technicians work in private clinics, laboratories, and animal hospitals. Their jobs may be physically or emotionally demanding. Many work evenings, weekends, or holidays.
Technologists usually need a 4-year bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology, and technicians need a 2-year associate degree. Typically, both technologists and technicians must pass a credentialing exam to become registered, licensed, or certified, depending on the requirements of the state in which they work
Marine Biologist
Wage; $66,35 per year
Demand; 5% (slower than average)
Marine biologists research marine animals and other wildlife, as well as how they interact with their environments. They research animal physical traits, animal behavior, and the effects of people on wildlife and natural ecosystems.
Biological Technician
Wage;$46,340 per year
Demand;7% (As fast as average)
Biological technicians, also known as laboratory assistants, are normally in charge of doing scientific tests, studies, and analyses under the direction and evaluation of biologists (such as microbiologists) or medical scientists. Biological technicians conduct tests with standard laboratory tools, advanced robotics, and automated equipment.
Biological technicians typically need a bachelor’s degree in biology or a closely related field. Prospective biological technicians need to gain laboratory experience while in school.
Biological Science Teacher
Wage; $80,560 per year
Demand; 12% (faster than average)
The roles of postsecondary teachers vary, frequently depending on the size of their employing institution.
They may teach classes, perform research or experiments, publish original research, apply for grants to fund their research, or supervise graduate teaching assistants at big schools or universities.
They may spend most of their time teaching courses and dealing with students at small colleges and universities or community institutions.
Biological Science Teachers teach courses in biological sciences in the college, secondary, private, and public sectors.
Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
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In case you are looking for more detail on how much earn, keep reading below
Zoologists, how much do they earn? (Solved)
The median annual wage for zoologists and wildlife biologists was $66,350 in May 2020.
The median wage is the wage at which half of the workers in a certain occupation earned more and half earned less. The lowest 10% made less than $41,720, while the highest 10% earned more than $106,320.
In May 2020, the median annual wages for zoologists and wildlife biologists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Federal government, excluding postal service | $81,530 |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | $71,300 |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | $69,490 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | $62,300 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | $59,660 |
Source: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
According to the Labor Bureau of Statistics, the employment of zoologists and wildlife biologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2020 to 2030, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 1,700 openings for zoologists and wildlife biologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Final Thoughts
Yes, if you enjoy dealing with animals, a degree in Zoology is worthwhile. There are numerous vocations accessible; nevertheless, wages are low and demand varies based on the occupation.
Career decisions are among the most difficult you’ll ever make, and they should never be taken lightly.
If you’re having trouble with your degree, talk to the support staff at your university before making any major decisions.
It’s not the end of the world for those of you who are certain that a career in law is not for you.
Continuing your education until the end may be the greatest option for your future profession.
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- How Can I Self Learn Biology? (Solved and Explained)
- Why Is Biology So Hard? (For Students)
- Why Students Find Biology Boring And Hate It? (Explained)
References
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians: Occupational Outlook Handbook:: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary (bls.gov)
- Postsecondary Teachers: Occupational Outlook Handbook:: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
