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Zoology

1 schools compared · Average earnings $23,733/yr

Quick Facts: Zoology Training

Where it's offered

Zoology programs are offered at 1 schools across 1 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.

Earnings expectations

Graduates earn approximately $23,733/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.

Apprenticeship pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 4 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Zoology — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.

Program quality benchmark

Across the 1 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 33/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.

What Zoology Graduates Do

Your career in animal biology will likely begin in the field or a lab as a biological technician. You’ll be the hands-on expert, collecting water and tissue samples, using microscopes to identify organisms, and carefully recording data for senior scientists. As you gain experience, you can specialize as a zoologist or wildlife biologist. Your work might involve tracking animal populations with GPS collars, setting up camera traps in remote habitats, or analyzing migration patterns using specialized mapping software.

Read more

This path offers steady advancement. Many start as technicians and progress to lead roles as biologists or postsecondary teachers, where earnings climb toward six figures. With significant experience, you could become a natural sciences manager, directing entire research programs and managing budgets, where salaries are highest. While AI tools will increasingly help with data analysis and population modeling, they can’t replace the critical, hands-on work of collecting samples in a forest or performing a complex procedure in the lab. The core of this job remains firmly in your hands.

Students considering Zoology also weigh Physiology — see each trade's earnings and school count side by side.

Schools Offering
1
Avg Grad Earnings
$23,733/yr
Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score
33/100
Apprenticeship Paths
4
View pathways ↓

Registered Apprenticeship Pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 4 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Zoology. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.

Apprenticeship Training Hours Type Salary RangeSalary Growth
Bio-Manufacturing Technician (Downstream)
RAPIDS 1103CB 		Competency Competency $45K – $52,000 – $66K 3.5%
Bio-Manufacturing Technician (Upstream)
RAPIDS 1102CB 		Competency Competency $45K – $52,000 – $66K 3.5%
Dairy Technologist
RAPIDS 630 		8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs 		Time $45K – $52,000 – $66K 3.5%
Microbiology Quality Control Tech
RAPIDS 1135HY 		2000-3000 hrs Hybrid $45K – $52,000 – $66K 3.5%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.

Find Zoology Programs in Your State

Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Zoology is offered at 1 schools across 1 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.

North Carolina (1)

Top Zoology Programs Nationally

For context, here are the highest-scoring Zoology programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.

1 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.

# School Score Earnings ROI
1 Davidson-Davie Community College
Thomasville, NC		 45
41–47		 $23,733/yr 59.0x

Highest Earning Zoology Programs

Schools where Zoology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

School 1-Year Earnings Score
Davidson-Davie Community College $23,733/yr 45

Best ROI for Zoology

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Zoology.

School ROI Multiple Earnings Score
Davidson-Davie Community College 59.0x $23,733/yr 45

Related Majors

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Considering a 4-Year Degree?

Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Zoology degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.

Compare Zoology degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Zoology graduates make in their first year?
The median first-year salary across 1 Zoology programs is $23,733. School selection matters — the gap between the lowest ($23,733) and highest ($23,733) earning programs is significant.
Will AI replace Zoology jobs?
AI resilience for Zoology is classified as "Resilient." Approximately 49% of typical job tasks are hands-on — a moderate share of the daily work involves skills that current AI technology cannot perform.
What's the top-ranked school for Zoology?
Davidson-Davie Community College leads all 1 programs with a TradeSchoolOutlook Score of 45/100. Graduates earn $23,733/yr — the ranking weighs earnings, ROI, AI resilience, and job market size equally.
Is Zoology worth it?
The average 10-year earnings multiple is 59.0x tuition. This is a strong return on investment. The spread between the best and worst programs is wide, so individual school selection has a major impact.
Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, and DOL RAPIDS. Methodology & sources →