Careers Hub
All Job CategoriesAnimal technician
Animal technician
Animal technicians look after animals in medical and scientific research laboratories.
Average salary (a year)
£17000.0
Starter
£28000.0
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
38.0 to 40.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
on a rota
Explore future careers!
Explore career paths and plan your journey with insights into future professions.
Explore by job categories
AdministrationAnimal careBeauty and wellbeingBusiness and financeComputing, technology and digitalConstruction and tradesCreative and mediaDelivery and storageEmergency and uniform servicesEngineering and maintenanceEnvironment and landGovernment servicesHealthcareHome servicesHospitality and foodLaw and legalManagerialManufacturingRetail and salesScience and researchSocial careSports and leisureTeaching and educationTransportTravel and tourism
You can get into this job through:a college course; an apprenticeship; applying directly
College
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
animal care or animal management, applied science, biology, laboratory animal science and technology
animal care or animal management, applied science, biology, laboratory animal science and technology
Entry requirements
You may need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship
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.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Direct Application
You may be able to apply directly if you have previous experience as an animal care assistant or veterinary nurse.
More Information
Career Tips
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
on a farm, in kennels, an animal welfare centre or zoo, in a science laboratory
Further Information
Find out more about career pathways and training for animal technician and animal technologist roles from the Institute of Animal Technology.
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
To be thorough and pay attention to detail
The ability to work well with others
The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
The ability to use your initiative
Sensitivity and understanding
Thinking and reasoning skills
Excellent verbal communication skills
Administration skills
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Day to day tasks
As part of your day-to-day duties you will
provide exercise, food and water to the animals, carry out regular observations, make sure that animals are clean and comfortable, control heating, lighting and humidity, monitor animals' weight and behaviour, follow hygiene rules in the facility, keep accurate records
provide exercise, food and water to the animals, carry out regular observations, make sure that animals are clean and comfortable, control heating, lighting and humidity, monitor animals' weight and behaviour, follow hygiene rules in the facility, keep accurate records
Working environment
You could work at a research facility.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
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.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
Help & Support
Support Knowledge Base & FAQs