What exactly is a wildlife rehabilitator? A rehabilitator takes in animals that have been injured and nurtures them back to health so they may be reintroduced to their native environment. Wildlife rehabilitators are passionate about rescuing and caring for injured, orphaned, or displaced animals. Even though wildlife rehabilitators are volunteers, the average salaries for wildlife rehabilitators can be high. Conservation groups, zoos, and even local governments often pay these professionals for their services. Some also receive an allowance from their state or federal government if they’re working under a contract. Let’s learn about ‘Salaries For Wildlife Rehabilitators’.
What do wildlife rehabilitators do?: Salaries For Wildlife Rehabilitators
Wildlife rehabilitators are a unique breed. Their role is to assist animals that have been harmed or orphaned. They provide food, medical care, and rehabilitation until the animal is healthy enough to be returned to its native environment.
These professionals have training in wildlife biology, veterinary medicine, and animal care. They also need to have a love for helping animals and working outdoors. This can be an emotionally demanding job because the rehabilitator must be able to remain calm when confronted with injured or stressed wild animals. Wildlife rehabilitators often work long hours and under challenging conditions, so they must be physically fit as well as mentally challenging.
Wildlife rehabilitator salaries vary widely, depending on where you live and your years of experience.
The median salary for wildlife rehabilitators is around $31,500 per year, with the lowest 10% of earners bringing in less than $21,000 and the highest 10% making more than $50,000.
Wildlife rehabilitator salaries by years of experience:
0-1 years: $20,000
1-2 years: $28,000
2-3 years: $37,000
3-5 years: $40,000
5+ years: $45,000-$50,000
Entry-level wildlife rehabilitator salaries
Entry-level wildlife rehabilitator salaries vary widely depending on the region, but some commonalities exist.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average entry-level wildlife rehabilitator salary is $22,800 annually. However, this number does not consider high-earning areas or industries, such as New York City or California. The top ten highest-paying cities for entry-level wildlife rehabilitators are all in California.
The average yearly salary for an entry-level wildlife rehabilitator in that state is $25,000 compared to the national average of $22,800.
Entry-level wildlife rehabilitators can expect to make anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000 per year. This field is where experience is valued over education, so getting as much on-the-job training as possible is essential.
Mid-career wildlife rehabilitator salaries
Mid-career wildlife rehabilitators earn an average annual salary of $31,000. The best-paid 10 percent earn $42,600 or more annually, while the lowest-paid 10 percent earn less than $22,600 yearly.
The highest salaries are in the metropolitan areas of San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, California; Trenton-Ewing, New Jersey; and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California. In these cities, mid-career wildlife rehabilitators earn mean annual salaries of $41,300; $41,000; and $40,900 respectively. A mid-career wildlife rehabilitator can expect to earn $42,000 per year.
The salary assumes a 40-hour work week and five years of experience.
In addition to this base salary, wildlife rehabilitators may receive additional income from government grants and donations.
Experienced wildlife rehabilitator salaries
You’ll earn more money the more experience you have to get paid. You can expect to earn $30,000 or more if you’ve worked as a wildlife rehabilitator for at least five years. Wildlife rehabilitators who work in urban areas earn higher salaries than those who work in rural areas because there are fewer competitors and more opportunities for advancement within organizations that employ people in these areas. For example, suppose you’re an experienced wildlife rehabilitator who lives in New York City and works for an organization that specializes in caring for injured animals (such as a zoo). Your salary could be close to $60,000 per year or more, depending on factors like education level or previous experience working with animals at large organizations like zoos or aquariums.
Late-career wildlife rehabilitator salaries
At the more advanced level, wildlife rehabilitators usually earn between $35,000 and $50,000 per year, depending on the training and experience they have acquired working with captive animals (for example, those who have attended formal education programs). A senior-level wildlife rehabilitator can expect to earn anywhere from $45,000 to $80,000 per year based on their experience working with this population of animals over time (which usually takes several years).
Where do wildlife rehabilitators get paid the most?
Wildlife rehabilitators are paid various salaries, depending on the size of their organization, the location of their work, and other factors. The best-paying states for wildlife rehabilitators are West Virginia ($50,630), Wyoming ($45,640), Alaska ($44,100), and Wisconsin ($42,740). The lowest paying states are Mississippi ($29,010), Arkansas ($32,520), Alabama ($32,780), and Nevada ($33,510).
What credentials are required to work as a wildlife rehabilitator?
To be a wildlife rehabilitator, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent. You must also accomplish at least 300 hours of animal medicine training and specialized training in the species or species group you plan to work with. You will also need a state-issued license, which requires passing an exam and submitting an application.
What advantages do wildlife rehabilitation professionals have?
The benefits of being a wildlife rehabilitator are:
- You get to work with animals
- You get to spend time outside
- You get to help animals that need it the most
- You get to learn about animal behavior and biology
- You get to hear about how fantastic nature is from the people you help
What wildlife job pays the most?
Wildlife rehabilitators and zookeepers are the two highest-paid wildlife professionals, with zookeepers earning an average salary of $61,600 and rehabilitators earning $51,000 yearly.
This is according to a recent study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Can rehab animals survive in the wild?
Rehabilitated animals can survive in the wild.
It is essential to remember that there are different levels of rehabilitation. Some animals may be able to recover from their injuries and return to the wild, while others may not be able to function as well as they once did. A good rehabber will assess each animal’s situation and make the best decision for them.
Conclusion:
Wildlife rehabilitators are few in number, and they need our help. They give their time and expertise to a challenging job where the rewards are intangible and need to be sought elsewhere. I hope this information helps wildlife rehabilitators obtain the compensation they deserve based on their work. Use the data to make sure you are not underpaid.
