The Average Income Of A Snake Milker Will Make You Pause

When people see a snake, their first reaction might be to run away. These people — whether they do or don't have an actual phobia of snakes (ophidiophobia) — probably shouldn't work as snake milkers. That's because milkers need to be in close proximity to venomous snakes in order to remove (also referred to as milk) a snake's venom. Snake milkers work in the field of herpetology, which is the zoology branch that focuses on reptiles as well as amphibians. As for what the job entails, snake milkers generally need expertise in using lab equipment specifically created to extract snake venom. Milkers must also know how to safely care for and manage venomous snakes, as well as label and safely store extracted venom. This position typically works in a serpentarium, which is a facility intended for this kind of work — with jobs sometimes available at universities, zoos, and research companies dealing in this specialty.

According to Career Addicts, in December 2023, snake milker jobs came with potential earnings of between $2,000 and $5,000 a month. To be more specific, as of August 2025, ZipRecruiter listed an average of $16 an hour (or about $33,300 annually) with $9.86 at the low end (about $20,500 annually) and $22.12 at the top (about $46,000 annually). With that said, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows an average zoologist's 2024 salary as $72,860 with a bachelor's degree typically required for an entry level-position. 

If the idea of becoming a snake milker is appealing, numerous sub-types exist. Some snake milkers collect venom to assist in scientific research of the substance's composition — largely to see if it can contribute to medical knowledge. Others work in a similar capacity but more specifically craft antivenom medications for people bitten by snakes. Still others remove venom as part of snake care — to help ensure the health of snakes living in zoos, or to contribute to snake conservation efforts.

If looking to find a job without a college degree, you might consider retail stores that sell snakes and/or snake products that may be in need of customer service professionals with the right expertise. The Serpentarium, a chain in California and Texas, offered roles with hourly pay between $16.50 and $22 an hour, as of August 2025. Or, a part-time job as a reptile birthday party handler could offer a salary of $35,400 through $43,300 annually, per an August 2025 job listing for My Reptile Guys. The right person for this role must be comfortable with the regular care of up to ten snakes in their home, and also have room in their vehicle to transport these snakes to parties. 

I f you decide snake milking isn't for you, keep in mind that younger generations will have more jobs in their lifetime than past generations. However, people who change jobs or even careers by choice still need to address tough money truths, including more frequent retraining often being required.