Job Description

An Animal Technician is responsible for the day to day care of laboratories animals. They may be involved with experiments involving the animals in their care as well as monitoring and maintaining the health of the animals and performing duties such as receiving new animals, cleaning and changing cages and providing food and water.

Entry Requirements

You can get into this job through:

College

You could do a Level 3 Diploma in Animal Care or Applied Science.

You may need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course.

The following local colleges offer courses in Animal Care or Applied Science:

Or your local 6th form may offer a relevant course.

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through an animal technologist advanced apprenticeship.

You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship.

Click here to search for an apprenticeship.

University

You could do a higher national diploma or degree in:

pharmacology
biology
animal studies
animal care

You'll usually need 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including a science, for a degree.

Career Tips

Working with animals or in a lab may help improve your chances of finding a job or training. You could get work experience on a farm, in kennels, an animal welfare centre or zoo or in a laboratory setting.

You can find out more about careers and training from the Institute of Animal Technology.

Career Path and Progression

With experience, you could become a senior animal technologist, unit or section supervisor or manager.

You could also specialise in breeding, immunology or training.

Related careers you may be interested in:

Veterinary nurse
Laboratory technician
Animal care worker
Kennel worker
Animal technician

Required Skills

Keen interest in science and working with animals
Work well in a team
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
the ability to use your initiative
sensitivity and understanding
customer service skills
thinking and reasoning skills

Salary Range

£15,000 to £40,000

Animal Technician