Salary guide · Veterinary & Animal Care
Veterinary & Animal Care: what the jobs pay
15 jobs, lowest paid first. Yearly ranges seen in real UK adverts in 2026, and the hourly rate on a 40 hour week.
| Job | A year | An hour, 40 hour week | Tickets or qualifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal technician | £24,800 to £30,000 | about £11.92 to £14.42 | IAT Level 2 or 3, Home Office personal licence for procedures |
| Aquarist | £24,800 to £28,000 | about £11.92 to £13.46 | Animal management or marine biology qualification helpful |
| Dog groomer | £24,800 to £28,000 | about £11.92 to £13.46 | City and Guilds dog grooming helps |
| Dog warden | £24,800 to £29,000 | about £11.92 to £13.94 | Full driving licence |
| Horse groom | £24,800 to £27,000 | about £11.92 to £12.98 | BHS Stage exams helpful, driving licence often needed |
| Kennel assistant | £24,800 to £26,500 | about £11.92 to £12.74 | None to start |
| Veterinary care assistant | £24,800 to £26,500 | about £11.92 to £12.74 | Animal Nursing Assistant Level 2 helpful |
| Veterinary receptionist | £24,800 to £27,000 | about £11.92 to £12.98 | None to start |
| Zookeeper | £24,800 to £28,000 | about £11.92 to £13.46 | Level 3 Diploma in Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals helpful |
| Veterinary physiotherapist | £26,000 to £35,000 | about £12.50 to £16.83 | Degree or MSc in veterinary physiotherapy |
| Veterinary nurse | £27,000 to £34,000 | about £12.98 to £16.35 | RCVS registration once qualified |
| Farrier | £28,000 to £45,000 | about £13.46 to £21.63 | Farriers Registration Council registration |
| Head veterinary nurse | £32,000 to £40,000 | about £15.38 to £19.23 | RCVS registered veterinary nurse |
| Veterinary practice manager | £35,000 to £50,000 | about £16.83 to £24.04 | None generally, management experience |
| Veterinary surgeon | £40,000 to £70,000 | about £19.23 to £33.65 | A veterinary degree and RCVS registration |
Advertised ranges, not a survey of take home pay, and the same job pays differently by region. The National Living Wage for anybody 21 and over is £12.71 an hour. Wrong for your area? Tell us.
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