Annual Salary
£17,000 to £28,000
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
Swap to Agriculture or Environment or go back to all job sectors or go to green jobs
Swap to Agriculture or Environment or go back to all job sectors or go to green jobs
Animal technicians look after animals in medical and scientific research laboratories.
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; on a rota
There will be
5.4% more Animal technician jobs in 2027.
As part of your day-to-day duties you will:
You may need to wear protective clothing.
You could work at a research facility.
You can get into this job through:
You could apply directly for trainee animal technician jobs with GCSEs in maths, English and science. In addition, some employers may also expect you to have animal care and laboratory skills. You could gain these through a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in:
You may need:
You could gain some of the skills needed for this role, from an animal care and welfare assistant intermediate apprenticeship.
Depending on your previous experience and qualifications, you may be able to do an animal technologist advanced apprenticeship.
You'll usually need:
You may be able to apply directly if you have previous experience as an animal care assistant or veterinary nurse.
Experience of lab techniques as well as handling and caring for animals, may 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; in a science laboratory
Find out more about career pathways and training for animal technician and animal technologist roles from the Institute of Animal Technology.
You could become a senior animal technician and supervise or manage the work of other technicians.
With experience and further training, you could become an animal technologist or a named animal care and welfare officer.
You could specialise in working with animals in specific research areas like breeding, immunology or genetics.
There may also be opportunities to work as a trainer and assessor of new animal technicians.
You'll need: