To become an animal behaviorist, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in a biological or behavioral science for companion animal and entry-level work. Research, zoo, and academic roles require a master’s degree or doctorate. The Animal Behavior Society certifies practitioners at two levels, ACAAB and CAAB, based on degree level and professional experience in the field.
An animal behaviorist studies why animals behave the way they do: the causes, contexts, and functions behind the behavior. In applied roles, some also work to change it through training and behavior analysis. The field runs from companion animal consulting to zoo management to academic research, and your degree level determines which doors are open to you. (Curious how this differs from an animal psychologist? The two roles overlap but aren’t identical.)
What Education Do You Need to Become an Animal Behaviorist?
The Animal Behavior Society recognizes four fields of study most relevant to the profession: ethology, behavioral ecology, comparative psychology, and anthropology. Ethology and behavioral ecology cover the biological and evolutionary side of animal behavior and tend to feed into wildlife, zoo, and research careers. Comparative psychology and anthropology take a more social and psychological approach to how animals learn and interact.
Your career goal sets your degree floor. If you’re headed toward companion animal training or pet behavior consulting, a bachelor’s degree in psychology or animal science can qualify you for many entry-level companion animal positions, typically a four-year program. If you want to work in academia, run a zoo behavior program, or conduct independent research, plan on a master’s degree at minimum. Many research and zoological roles require a PhD or a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), and those paths include supervised internships, clinical rotations, and an independent research project. That puts the full timeline somewhere between six and ten years, depending on the route you take.
How Long Does It Take to Become an Animal Behaviorist?
The short version depends on which level you’re targeting:
- Bachelor’s degree: four years, enough for many entry-level and companion animal positions
- Master’s degree: two to three years after a bachelor’s, so six to seven years total
- PhD: four to six additional years after a bachelor’s, eight to ten years overall
- DVM: four years of veterinary school after a bachelor’s, a minimum of eight years total
If your goal is working with pets or running behavioral training programs at an animal facility, the bachelor’s timeline is realistic. For a university research position, a senior zoo behavior role, or a private consultancy that involves working with other professionals, graduate credentials are typically expected. The higher ABS certification, the CAAB, requires either a doctorate plus five years of professional experience, or a DVM plus supervised residency and additional practice hours. Plan accordingly.
What Certification Do Animal Behaviorists Need?
The Animal Behavior Society administers two credentials for practitioners who work with animals or advise the public about animal behavior problems. Anyone consulting with the public or with other professionals should hold one of these.
Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (ACAAB) is the entry-level credential. It requires a master’s degree from a USDE- or CHEA-accredited institution in a biological or behavioral science with an emphasis in animal behavior, including a research-based thesis. Coursework must include 30 semester credits in behavioral science (at least 12 at the graduate level), with 9 of those credits in ethology, animal behavior, or comparative psychology. Experiential requirements include a minimum of two years of professional experience in applied animal behavior, the ability to work independently in the field, and documented hands-on experience with a specific species. Applicants must also have attended and presented a contributed talk or poster at an ABS annual meeting within the five years before applying.
Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) is the advanced credential, aimed at researchers, senior consultants, and those seeking recognition as field experts. Requirements are a doctoral degree in a biological or behavioral science with an emphasis on animal behavior, plus five years of professional experience, or a DVM plus two years of a university-approved residency in animal behavior and three additional years of professional experience. Applicants must have attended and presented a contributed talk or poster at an ABS annual meeting within five years before applying. Both CAAB and ACAAB holders are required to carry professional liability insurance. Once certified, CAAB holders work across zoo, farm, laboratory, and wildlife settings, in addition to private consulting.
What Does an Animal Behaviorist Earn?
Salary depends on education level, work setting, and specialization. Research-oriented animal behaviorists often fall under the Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational category for zoologists and wildlife biologists. According to the BLS, zoologists and wildlife biologists earned a median annual wage of $72,860 as of May 2024. Academic and zoo positions typically pay more than companion animal consulting or pet training roles. Doctoral-level credentials push earnings higher across most settings, and applied behaviorists in private practice working with veterinary referrals can command premium rates depending on their specialization and location. For a broader look at where psychology-adjacent degrees lead in pay, see the 25 most lucrative careers in psychology.
Looking for programs in animal behavior, comparative psychology, or behavioral science? Browse accredited options and compare programs by degree level and focus area.
May 2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists reflects national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.