How much would a starting zookeeper make at a zoo like Woodland Park Zoo?
In some metropolitan areas, such as Seattle, zookeepers can make $35,000 to $40,000 a year. A starting zookeeper might make between $26,000 and $30,000 a year. These salary ranges, however, vary throughout the United States depending on the size of the zoo and how the zoo is supported. Most zookeeping positions do not follow a regular Monday through Friday workweek working days usually include weekends. At Woodland Park Zoo, zookeeping positions offer competitive benefits such as sick leave, holidays, vacation, pension plans and medical, dental and optical plans.