Zoology
What Zoology Graduates Do
Your career in animal biology will likely begin in the field or a lab as a biological technician. You’ll be the hands-on expert, collecting water and tissue samples, using microscopes to identify organisms, and carefully recording data for senior scientists. As you gain experience, you can specialize as a zoologist or wildlife biologist. Your work might involve tracking animal populations with GPS collars, setting up camera traps in remote habitats, or analyzing migration patterns using specialized mapping software.
This path offers steady advancement. Many start as technicians and progress to lead roles as biologists or postsecondary teachers, where earnings climb toward six figures. With significant experience, you could become a natural sciences manager, directing entire research programs and managing budgets, where salaries are highest. While AI tools will increasingly help with data analysis and population modeling, they can’t replace the critical, hands-on work of collecting samples in a forest or performing a complex procedure in the lab. The core of this job remains firmly in your hands.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 4 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Zoology. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bio-Manufacturing Technician (Downstream)
RAPIDS 1103CB |
Competency | Competency | $45K – $52,000 – $66K | 3.5% |
|
Bio-Manufacturing Technician (Upstream)
RAPIDS 1102CB |
Competency | Competency | $45K – $52,000 – $66K | 3.5% |
|
Dairy Technologist
RAPIDS 630 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $45K – $52,000 – $66K | 3.5% |
|
Microbiology Quality Control Tech
RAPIDS 1135HY |
2000-3000 hrs | Hybrid | $45K – $52,000 – $66K | 3.5% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Best Schools for Zoology
1 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.
| # | School | Score | EarningsEarn | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davidson-Davie Community College Thomasville, NC |
45 41–47 |
$23,733/yr | 59.0x |
Highest Earning Zoology Programs
Schools where Zoology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Davidson-Davie Community College | $23,733/yr | 45 |
Best ROI for Zoology
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Zoology.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davidson-Davie Community College | 59.0x | $23,733/yr | 45 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Zoology degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.