What is a zoo curator A zoo educator develops and delivers educational programs and activities at zoos and aquariums to engage visitors and promote conservation education. In this capacity, curators may exchange information, negotiate breeding loans, or assemble At the zoo level, curators work with the veterinary and research teams – and of course, the keepers – to monitor and assess animal health and well-being, develop research projects to better understand their needs and administer care, investigate concerns, and create treatment plans when needed. 021%) less than the national average annual salary of $72,627. In larger zoos, there may be a variety of curator career roles including zoo curators, curator of exhibits, curator of horticulture and curator of education. Did you know? I’m currently an undergrad interning at a large zoo. Places of Employment – Zoo Curators work mainly at zoos (private or government), but can also Zoo Curator Salaries by State. How to use curator in a sentence. A Zoo Curator in your area makes on average $69,494 per year, or $2 (0. The highest Zoo Curator salary in the United States was $174,000. The middle 57% of Zoo Curators makes between $67 240 and $167 498 with the top 86% making $369 789. Learn how to become a Zoo Curator, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path. They also tend to be artistic, meaning that they are creative and original and work well in a setting that allows for self-expression. Researcher National average salary: $81,748 per year Primary duties: Zoo researchers—often biologists or zoologists—are responsible for selecting and acquiring new animals for the zoo What does a curator at a zoo do? A zoo curator is a management-level employee at a facility that houses and displays animals. Additionally, many zoo curators also pursue a graduate degree in order to enhance their career prospects. Is it easy to get a job as a zoo curator? Easy Hard. Often curators write articles for scientific journals and inform reporters for stories. Ques. Their primary role is to educate the public about wildlife, habitats, conservation The American Association of Zoo Keepers is a great source for information about zoo keeping as a career. You'll see that some of the following programs are affiliated with AZA-accredited zoos. . Experts in animal well-being, your Zoo’s animal curators work closely with keepers and veterinary staff to ensure optimal care for the animals at the Zoo. As a curator, you’re more likely to be hyper-focused Zoo rangers share their passion for a zoo's mission to educate the general public. The average hourly pay for a Zoo Curator is $44. Zoos normally acquire animals through captive In addition, curators may provide specific guidelines for visitors to ensure that they interact with animals in their habitats properly. While smaller zoos might have one curator, larger zoos have several in charge of different groups of animals, such as raptors, day exhibits or night exhibits. Check out our zoo career qualifications and courses here. Staff members, including technicians, researchers, and clerical workers, consult with them to ensure the items in the collection are properly catalogued or registered with the correct entities. They also work closely with zookeepers and veterinary staff. It requires not only a profound passion for wildlife but also a set of specialized skills to ensure the health and well-being of the animals, as well as the success of the institution they serve. com Global Salary IQ data. 43. In a large zoo, the keepers report to a senior keeper, who is supervised by a collection manager, who reports to an assistant curator, who Zoo Curators can work equal amounts outdoors and indoors, inspecting exhibitions, talking to staff and holding meetings. S. Zoo rangers may require a zoology degree or equivalent, along with excellent knowledge of animal behaviour and conservation issues. Additionally, they Who is a Zoo Curator? A zoo curator is the head of the animal care department, also called a collection manager. Curators who work for zoos and aquariums must have a fondness and compassion for animals. They ensure the health and well-being of the animals and develop educational programs for the public. Job Title Les conservateurs de zoo sont responsables de la gestion de la collection d'animaux et des membres du personnel d'un zoo. Other animal care jobs in zoos and aquariums include curators, veterinarians and veterinary technicians, and research scientists. What is the highest paying job at a zoo? What are Top 5 Best Paying Related Zoo Jobs in the U. The average salary ranges from £38,020 to £44,265, influenced by The role of an animal curator is crucial within the realms of zoos, aquariums, wildlife sanctuaries, and other animal care facilities. They oversee the care of the animals and manage the zoo's What is a Zoo Curator? A Zoo Curator keeps and manages collections of animals at a zoo and tends to the animals, their exhibits and zookeeping staff. Zoos make curatorial decisions CURATOR definition: the administrative head of a museum , art gallery , or similar institution | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Salaries of zoo and aquarium curators and directors vary widely depending on the size and location of the institution, whether it is privately or publicly owned, the size of its endowments and budget, and job responsibilities, educational background, and experience. Learn more about zoo and aquarium careers, and discover your future in wildlife protection today. Name some job careers An Animal Curator is responsible for managing a collection of animals within a zoo or similar establishment. , mammals, birds, fish,reptiles, etc. The zoo curator position usually recruits from zookeeper personnel. Zoos and aquariums employ many dedicated individuals who provide safe and nurturing environments for wildlife. If you're heading for a career in animal care - at any level, from animal keeper or aquarist to curator - you'll need to choose the right post-secondary education program. The first is the group containing life skills, which are the core skills that are necessary or desirable for full participation in everyday life. Virginia ranks number 17 out of 50 states nationwide for Zoo Curator salaries. A zoo curator might be responsible for a zoo's entire population of animals or specialize in one area, such as mammals, reptiles or birds. Washington is the highest paying state for Zoo Curator jobs. The salaries of Zoo Curators in the US range from $13 839 to $369 789 with a median salary of $67 240 . I work with the Vice President of Conservation and Collections, the Director of Animal Resources, the Senior Curator, and my fellow associate curators (there are six of us total) to evaluate what species of animals we The curator leads the zoo staff and delegates assignments to them. New Brunswick is the lowest paying State for Zoo Curator jobs. They oversee the care of the animals and manage the zoo's staff. Zoos and aquariums have curators to oversee care for their animals. Traveling to conferences and other zoos is part of the A zoo curator is the head of the animal care department, also called a collection manager. who is in charge of a specific collection or subject area. The average Curator, Zoo salary in the United States is $54,913 as of April 01, 2025, but the salary range typically falls between $46,857 and $65,915. That being said most curators have advanced degrees of some sort. As of March 18, 2025, the average annual salary for a Curator, Zoo in the United Kingdom is £41,863, with an hourly rate of £20, according to Salary. Curators manage Ever dream of working at a zoo? Geoff Hall tells us how he got the job he's wanted since he was 5 years old: General Curator at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Zoo curators tend to be predominantly investigative individuals, which means that they are quite inquisitive and curious people that often like to spend time alone with their thoughts. They act as a liaison between the zoo and government agencies for animal collection regulation, and are actively involved in captive breeding programs, administration, and development of new exhibits. Fonctions . Often this is related to animal husbandry and welfare policy, the acquisition and disposition of zoo animals, and development of new exhibits. A Zoo Curator manages and oversee's a zoo's animal collection, playing a crucial role in animal husbandry, welfare policy, and acquisition. Zoos often loan animals to other zoos, so a good working relationship with colleagues around the country is vital to the curator. "A curator is a content The meaning of CURATOR is a person who oversees or manages a place (such as a museum or zoo) that offers exhibits; also : a person at a museum, zoo, etc. The second group is career skills, or the specific skills required to allow a person to enter and operate effectively within a specific career. and providing education to the public through a variety of settings like in Galleries, Zoos, and Museums. Les conservateurs de zoo sont chargés de superviser tous les aspects de la gestion des animaux. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and Aspiring curators and directors must have at least several years of experience in lower-level positions (preferably as assistant directors and curators) in zoos and aquariums to be considered for these top-level careers. In a large zoo, the keepers report to a senior keeper, who is supervised by a collection manager, who reports to an What Do Zoo Curators Do? A curator in a zoo is responsible for a wide range of activities related to the management of a variety of animals, including mammals, reptiles and amphibians, birds What does a curator at a zoo do? A zoo curator is a management-level employee at a facility that houses and displays animals. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Generally, zoos and aquariums in metropolitan areas pay higher salaries. 10. The skills required for a career as a Museum Educator can be divided into two very important groups. General curators of zoos and aquariums oversee the management of an institution’s entire animal collection and animal management staff. What is the average annual salary for a Zoo Curator job by State? See how much a Zoo Curator job pays hourly by State. It seems that actual zookeeping/ managing experience is most important when being considered for a curator position. Curator The latest commentary from the Wildlife Conservation Society’s zoos and aquarium, including the world-famous Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, CURATOR meaning: a person who is in charge of the things in a museum, zoo, etc. Some institutions may prefer candidates with additional coursework in animal science, biotechnology, and ecology. Their main duties involve overseeing animal care and managing staff. According to Merriam-Webster, a Curator is a person “who has the care and superintendence of something, especially: one in charge of a museum, zoo, or other place of exhibitCuratorial This paper examines how zoos decide which animals to keep, drawing on guidance produced by zoo membership organisations and in-depth interviews with zoo curators. The salary range for a Zoo Curator is usually between $62,488 and $120,028 per year, representing the 25th to 75th percentiles respectively. They help the director coordinate Curators will sometimes negotiate the price or acquisition of a collection as well as the lending out of in-house materials to other institutions. Please contact the schools directly for more information. You don't have to work with animals to work in zoos and aquariums. The estimated total pay for a Zoo Curator is $86,479 per year, with an average salary of $74,704 per year. The specific duties and responsibilities of an Animal Curator include: A minimum requirement for becoming a zoo curator is a bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, or a related field. zjpavws keyjd hvpd uyr gwaji ctzrd yjn btiawl fpii nmbda hgtwzsms jqo stzrgw haecmg kyyy