What this tool is for

Working with animals is often a vocation more than a job, but the wages can vary a lot depending on the role, the employer and where you are in your career. This tool gives you a straightforward look at what people in animal jobs across the UK tend to earn, so you can weigh up your options before you commit to training or apply for a new role.

You can check pay for a specific job title, from kennel assistant through to veterinary surgeon, and see how salaries typically shift as you gain experience.

Who it is for

It is useful if you are thinking about switching into animal care from another line of work, leaving school or college and weighing up training routes, or already working with animals and wondering what you could earn in a different role or at the next level up.

It is also handy if you are negotiating a pay rise, comparing two job offers, or trying to work out whether a career you love can actually cover your rent, bills and any student loans. The figures are meant to be honest rather than flattering, which matters in a sector where passion is sometimes used to justify low wages.

How it works

You pick the role you are interested in and choose an experience level, from entry level through to senior or specialist. The tool then gives you a plain English summary of typical UK salary ranges for that role, along with notes on what tends to push pay higher or lower, such as qualifications, location, or the type of employer. You do not need to sign up or share personal details, and nothing you enter is saved. If the first result is not quite what you were looking for, you can run it again with a different role or level to compare.