Zookeeper pay range
State of North Carolina · class code 32000744
- Class code
- 32000744
- Pay group
- NC05
- Pay unit
- Year
- State
- North Carolina
- The State of North Carolina published pay range for Zookeeper is $33,902 to $59,327 per year.
- North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) keys this classification as class code 32000744.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Class specification
The OSHR class specification for this class is published by North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR). The passages below are quoted from it as published, not paraphrased, and cut to their opening sentences; the full specification is the authority on duties and qualifications. It was last revised 12/2021.
What the state says the job is
This is a professional animal position assigned to specific species of wildlife animals at the North Carolina Zoo. Responsibilities include maintaining the health and care of animals following Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) standards. Position feeds the animals, maintains animal/exhibit holding hygiene, assesses animals' health, behavior, safety, and containment. Position manages animal records, administers prescribed preventative medical procedures and medical treatments, provides environmental enrichment, and operant conditioning for the assigned animals. Position conducts educational programs to the public regarding the animal's ecology, key conservation issues, exhibit themes or natural history.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Working knowledge of basic animal biology, anatomy, and physiology. Working knowledge of animal's natural history and behavior. Working knowledge of life support systems and operations. Ability to conduct oral informal public presentations. Ability to physically capture, handle and restrain live wild and potentially dangerous animals with use of associated capture equipment. Skills to identify and interpret subtle changes in animal health and behavior.
Minimum qualifications
Bachelor s degree in biology, zoology, natural sciences, or related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of experience working in a zoo-based or related animal care facility; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. <h2
Quoted from the OSHR class specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) publishes this figure in OSHR salary schedules, joined to Class Specifications. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
Job titles and their salary grades come from the Class Specifications, joined to the salary schedule.