How much does an animal keeper earn?
Animal keepers care for animals in zoos, shelters, boarding facilities, research institutions and clinics: they feed and care for them, design species-appropriate housing, monitor health and behaviour and work closely with veterinarians. The dual apprenticeship usually lasts three years and covers specialisations such as zoo, research and clinic, and shelter and boarding. Gross pay depends on region, collective agreements (e.g. TVöD), employer, specialisation, shift and weekend work and experience. As a guide, qualified animal keepers in Germany in 2026 often earn about €2,700–€3,300 gross per month; during training around €900–€1,200 is typical.
Salary by region (gross/month)
Orientation figures as of 2026. The apprenticeship column covers the dual animal keeper apprenticeship (zoo, research and clinic, shelter and boarding); qualified means practising professionals. Actual pay depends on collective agreements, employer, region, shift and weekend work, allowances and experience and is not a guarantee.
Further training options
Job and everyday work
An animal keeper ensures daily husbandry, feeding and animal welfare: enclosures and stables are cleaned and set up, health and behaviour monitored and issues documented. Everyday work includes physical labour, hygiene and biosecurity, coordination with veterinarians and the team, and often early, weekend and holiday shifts – depending on specialisation in a zoo, shelter, clinic or laboratory.
- Feed and water animals and observe them; document husbandry, health and behaviour.
- Clean, set up and design enclosures, stables and aquaria appropriately; follow hygiene and biosecurity rules.
- Assist with treatments, administer medication as instructed and coordinate with veterinarians.
- Inform visitors or advise owners in shelters; mind stress levels and safety distances.
- Prepare feed, manage stocks and coordinate workflows with the team and section leads.
- Early shifts, weekend and holiday work plus physical and emotional strain are typical.
