Does Brookfield Zoo Chicago pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Brookfield Zoo Chicago employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.0 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. This rating has improved by 6% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Brookfield Zoo Chicago?

59% of Brookfield Zoo Chicago employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Brookfield Zoo Chicago 3.5 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.5 for culture and values and 2.8 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Brookfield Zoo Chicago?

Admissions Associate (10) , Guest Services (4) , Merchandise Associate (4) , Food Service Worker (3) , Park Safety Officer (3) , Seasonal Animal Care Specialist (3) , Banquet Server (2) , Cashier (2) , Customer Service Associate (2) , Director (2) , Food Service Associate (2) , Guest Service Representative (2) , Marketing (2) , Seasonal Zookeeper (2) , Zoo Keeper (2)

What are the pros of working at Brookfield Zoo Chicago according to real employee reviews?

"The people are work with are great and I am fairly compensated." ((in 12 reviews)); "Good coworkers." ((in 8 reviews)); "Good benefits" ((in 5 reviews)); "Friendly staff" ((in 3 reviews)); "Friendly work environment and people." ((in 3 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Brookfield Zoo Chicago according to real employee reviews?

"Rude, ineffective management that chafes against the values the institution claims to espouse." ((in 9 reviews)); "Low pay." ((in 8 reviews)); "Long hours" ((in 7 reviews)); "Have watched at least a few managers and several employees leave over the past few years due to these problems." ((in 4 reviews)); "Upper Management seems to be a bit hypocritical in there actions." ((in 4 reviews))

What are employees saying about Brookfield Zoo Chicago layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Brookfield Zoo Chicago layoffs and their outlook for job security at Brookfield Zoo Chicago in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Brookfield Zoo Chicago locations?

Brookfield , Chicago , Berwyn , Lyons , Oak Lawn , Oak Park , Wheaton , Stickney

Skip to content Skip to footer

Notifications

Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield Zoo Chicago reviews

3.6

59% would recommend to a friend

(135 total reviews)

Dr. Michael Adkesson

35% approve of CEO

42% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

3.8

Diversity & inclusion

3.5

Culture & values

3.5

Work/Life balance

3.0

Compensation and benefits

2.9

Senior management

2.8

Career opportunities

Brookfield Zoo Chicago has an employee rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars, based on 135 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Brookfield Zoo Chicago employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Arts, Entertainment & Recreation industry (3.9 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

135 reviews

5.0

May 27, 2020

HIGHLY RECOMMENT

Food service associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

PAY , ENVIORNMENT , OVERTIME. FREE ADMISSION . FOOD

Cons

The commute was a lil bad for me

1.0

May 19, 2020

Incompetent management

Plant and facilities

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The few people that actually work to make the place a better place for the public and animals.

Cons

The toxic culture, one would think that working at a zoo would be a great experience but instead it is actually the at times a living nightmare. They claim to be an employer of choice but I fail to see how that can be true if the turnover rate for all departments is extremely high.

4.0

May 14, 2020

Fun at the Zoo

Associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Lots of fun to work at the zoo, with all the animals. You get free tickets for friends and can walk around and visit animals on your breaks.

Cons

Zoo seems to be short on cash. They're making lots of changes and scaling back in certain areas.

Viewing 70 - 72 of 135 Reviews

Jobs at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Director, Learning & Development

Director of Guest Experience & Revenue

Admissions - Associate (Seasonal)

Life Support - Craftsworker (Aide)

Police Dept - Sergeant

Brookfield Zoo Chicago reviews FAQs

Reviews Brookfield Zoo Chicago reviews

Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield Zoo Chicago reviews

Ratings by category

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

HIGHLY RECOMMENT

Incompetent management

Fun at the Zoo

Jobs at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield Zoo Chicago reviews FAQs

Want the inside scoop on your own company?

Bowls

Followed companies

Job searches

Brookfield Zoo Chicago reviews FAQs

Jobs at Brookfield Zoo Chicago