Snake milkers' salaries vary widely, averaging around $30,000 to $50,000 annually in the US, but can reach $60,000+ or more depending on location, employer (labs, zoos, pharma), and the high value of venom itself (up to $1,000/gram), with some reports suggesting high earners can make $10,000 a month in specific markets like Saudi Arabia, though many find fulfillment beyond just money.
Snake catchers in Australia earn income through call-out fees, which can range from $95 to over $150 per call, depending on the time (day/night) and location, plus potential extra charges for yard/roof inspections ($50-$150) or relocation services, with some sources suggesting experienced catchers could earn $70,000 to $90,000+ annually due to high demand, although it's often a challenging, risk-filled job with varying consistency.
As of Nov 12, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Snake Milker in the United States is $16.16 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high as $22.12 and as low as $9.86, the majority of Snake Milker wages currently range between $13.22 (25th percentile) to $15.14 (75th percentile) across the United States.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $46,500 and as low as $20,500, the majority of Snake Charmer salaries currently range between $27,500 (25th percentile) to $31,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $39,500 annually across the United States.
Accredited course
Most state and territory authorities require snake handlers and spotter catchers to complete a relevant course as part of their application for a wildlife relocation permit.
Raymond Terrence Hoser (born 1962) is an Australian snake-catcher and author. Hoser's work on herpetology is controversial, including his advocacy of the surgical alteration of captive snakes to remove their venom glands and his self-published herpetological taxonomy, which has been described as "taxonomic vandalism".
To be licensed to catch and release reptiles in NSW, you must be over 18, have a first-aid certificate, and public liability insurance as well as proven practical experience handling reptiles. Bridget Thomson was a self-described broke 21-year-old student when she did a reptile handling course at university.
Highest paying cities for Zookeepers near United States
Armpit sniffer - Salary: £13,000-£40,000
As the sniffer, expect to spend your days in a hot room or outdoors at low temperatures and smell 60 armpits per hour! Your role will be to determine if a product works under various conditions such as heat, sweating or cold.
How much does a 30 An Hour make in California? As of Jan 8, 2026, the average annual pay for a 30 An Hour in California is $304,439 a year.
In previous eras, snake charming was often the charmer's only source of income. This is less true today, as many charmers also scavenge, scrounge, sell items such as amulets and jewelry, or perform at private parties to make ends meet.
Jobs paying $500k+ in Australia are primarily in highly specialized fields like Medical Specialists (surgeons, anaesthetists), Senior Finance/Executive Roles (CFO, Head of Treasury, Investment Directors), and high-end Sales & Construction Management (Elite Stockbrokers, Senior Project Managers/Estimators in complex sectors). While roles like Neurosurgeon and Ophthalmologist average well over $500k, achieving this in other sectors often involves performance-based bonuses or leading major projects, with opportunities listed on job boards like SEEK and Jora.
Jobs paying $200k+ in Australia are common in specialized fields like Medicine (Surgeons, Anaesthetists, Specialists), Technology (Data Scientists, Cloud Engineers), Engineering, Executive Management (C-Suite, Directors), Law, and high-end Sales, with significant opportunities also in the Mining sector, alongside specialized roles in Finance, Construction Management, and Healthcare Administration, often requiring significant experience or niche skills.
Many jobs in Australia pay over $100,000 annually, including roles in IT, Healthcare (like Surgeons, Dentists, Psychologists), Engineering (Mining, Aerospace, Building), Construction Management, Finance (Accountants, Managers), Law, Sales (Business Development, Account Managers), and specialized trades (Pilots, Drillers, Electricians), often requiring degrees, certifications, or significant experience and skill, though some technical or trade roles can reach this income without a university degree through vocational training.
300k salary jobs
$33.2K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers. The median wage is $38.4K / yr.
There isn't one single "most dangerous" snake, as danger depends on venom potency, aggression, and human interaction, but the Inland Taipan (Fierce Snake) is the most venomous land snake by venom toxicity, while the Saw-scaled Viper causes the most human deaths due to its widespread presence and aggression, and the King Cobra is the longest venomous snake, delivering massive, lethal venom quantities.
8 Best Snakes for Pets
World's rarest snake
The surviving Saint Lucia racers are confined to a tiny offshore island called Maria Major, having been wiped out from the mainland by mongooses and other invasive alien animals that prey on the defenceless snakes.
Jobs paying $150k+ in Australia span various sectors, including Tech (Senior Business Analysts, IT roles), Healthcare (Podiatrists, Clinical Managers), Construction & Trades (Construction Managers, Electricians, Site Supervisors, Drillers), Finance (Finance Managers, Financial Planners, Accountants), Sales, and Leadership (HR Directors, Operations Managers, School Principals, Government Directors). High-demand areas often involve senior or specialized roles in Engineering, Mining, Digital Marketing, and Management, with opportunities both with and without degrees.
Strong smells like cinnamon, clove, vinegar, garlic, onion, and peppermint can deter snakes by overwhelming their sensitive sense of smell, though no scent offers foolproof protection, so combining scents with habitat modification (like removing hiding spots) is best for keeping them away. Oils of clove and cinnamon, mixed with water and sprayed, or crushed garlic and onion with salt, are common deterrents, as are strong plants like lemongrass and marigolds.