Career opportunities

Animal

Typical jobs

Veterinary nurse, veterinary physiotherapist, zoologist, dog groomer, horse groom, veterinary surgeon, pet behaviour counsellor, assistance dog trainer, farm manager, fish farmer, RSPCA or SSPCA inspector, countryside officer.  

What you can earn

Some suggested annual salary ranges for those working in the industry include:

  • Animal care workers £11,000-£13,000
  • Veterinary nurses £14,000-£22,000
  • Senior veterinary nurses £25,000+
  • Dog handler £25,000  

Local notes

The RSPCA’s Bristol clinic is the largest branch veterinary clinic in the country, delivering over 12,000 treatments to sick and injured animals every year.

Facts

  • 47% of the UK’s population has a pet
  • Volunteers are a significant part of the workforce
  • Almost three quarters of the industry is made up of pet shops and supplies, boarding establishments, and dog clipping and grooming businesses

Data from Direct.gov.uk and LANTRA the UK’s Sector Skills Council for land-based and environmental industries

 

Equine

Typical jobs

Jockey, performance groom, stable person, stallion handler, stud yard supervisor, stud hand, groom, foaling specialist, trek leader, yard manager, horse transporter, yearling manager, farrier.  

What you can earn

Some suggested annual salary ranges for those working in the industry include:

  • Horse riding instructor £12,000-15,000
  • Horse groom £12,500-16,000 • Riding holiday leader £12,000-£17,000
  • Farrier £30,000+  

Local notes

There are an estimated 4,700 employees in the regional workforce, and around 5,020 equine businesses. Hartpury Equestrian Centre in Gloucestershire, which works with Weston College, is internationally acclaimed and boasts a coach selected for the London 2012 Olympics.  

Facts

  • 720,000 people own horses in the UK
  • Racing is the second most popular sport in the UK after football
  • There are more than 19,000 horse businesses in the UK employing 41,200 employees

Data from Data from Direct.gov.uk and LANTRA the UK’s Sector Skills Council for land-based and environmental industries 

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