Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors

Only 240 zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks, and oceanariums in the U.S. are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Considering the number of people interested in animal careers, this is not a large number. Therefore, it is expected that competition for jobs as curators and directors, as well as for most zoo and aquarium jobs, will continue to be very strong.

The employment outlook for zoo directors is not favorable. There will be few job openings because of the slow growth in new zoos and in their capacity to care for animals. The prospects for aquarium directors are somewhat better due to planned construction of several new aquariums.

Employment for curators employed at museums, historical sites, and similar institutions is expected to increase at a pace that is much faster than the average through 2029, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, due to growing public interest in zoos, aquariums, and museums. Despite this prediction, it's important to remember that the number of zoo and aquarium curators is small, turnover rates are low, and competition for jobs is very strong. 

One area with greater growth potential than conventional zoos and aquariums is privately funded conservation centers.