Zoo curator
Also known as: curator of reptiles, general curator, mammal curator, zoo collection curator, aquarium curator, collections supervisor
About this occupation
Zoo curators are usually the position of middle-management within an institution. Much of their work involves oversight, management and development of the animal collection. Often this is related to animal husbandry and welfare policy, the acquisition and disposition of zoo animals, and development of new exhibits. Zoos normally acquire animals through captive breeding programs. The zoo collection, trade, and transport of the animals is regulated by government agencies as well as guided by zoo membership organisations. Consequently, zoo curators act as a liaison between these agencies and the zoo itself. Additionally, they play an active role in the administration of zoo functions and all kinds of captive breeding programs.
A specialisation of recreational facilities manager.
Essential skills and knowledge
- manage supplies
- set organisational policies
- oversee animal management
- maintain catalogue collection
- environmental legislation
- read zoo reports
- fix meetings
- supervise daily information operations
- ensure health and safety of staff
- schedule recreation facilities
- manage operational budgets
- develop zoonotic disease control policies
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Curators (O*NET 25-4012.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Plan and organize the acquisition, storage, and exhibition of collections and related materials, including the selection of exhibition themes and designs, and develop or install exhibit materials.
- Develop and maintain an institution's registration, cataloging, and basic record-keeping systems, using computer databases.
- Plan and conduct special research projects in area of interest or expertise.
- Provide information from the institution's holdings to other curators and to the public.
- Negotiate and authorize purchase, sale, exchange, or loan of collections.
- Study, examine, and test acquisitions to authenticate their origin, composition, history, and to assess their current value.
- Typical education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Conventional, Enterprising, Social
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Active Listening, Writing, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving
US median pay: US$63,420 a year (2025), 12,150 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageExtremely important (4.6)
- HistoryO*NET: History and ArcheologyExtremely important (4.5)
- Fine Art or Music or Drama and TheatreO*NET: Fine ArtsVery important (3.8)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.3)
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyImportant (3.3)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaImportant (3.2)
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyImportant (3.1)
- Divinity or PhilosophyO*NET: Philosophy and TheologyImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Archivists
- Historians
- Museum Technicians and Conservators
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
- Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
- Set and Exhibit Designers
- Anthropologists and Archeologists
- History Teachers, Postsecondary
- Art Directors
- Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.