How much does a animal caretaker make?
The median animal caretaker in the United States earns $33,470 per year, about $16.09 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all animal caretakers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 39-2021.
Animal caretaker salary range
Pay for animal caretakers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $24,500 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $46,480. The average (mean) wage of $34,750 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $24,500 | $11.78 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $28,870 | $13.88 | |
| Median (50th) | $33,470 | $16.09 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $37,160 | $17.87 | |
| 90th percentile | $46,480 | $22.35 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for animal caretakers (SOC 39-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Animal caretaker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Animal caretakers earn the most in Washington at $38,400 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $23,740. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $38,400 | 6,320 |
| District of Columbia | $37,980 | 430 |
| California | $37,200 | 26,200 |
| Massachusetts | $36,910 | 7,470 |
| New York | $36,500 | 11,970 |
| Connecticut | $36,330 | 3,250 |
| Maine | $36,310 | 1,390 |
| Maryland | $35,990 | 6,380 |
| Vermont | $35,600 | 570 |
| Alaska | $35,570 | 560 |
| Oregon | $35,310 | 3,750 |
| Colorado | $35,300 | 6,530 |
| Arizona | $35,170 | 5,450 |
| Rhode Island | $34,930 | 1,030 |
| New Jersey | $34,530 | 6,010 |
| Illinois | $34,440 | 10,660 |
| Hawaii | $34,410 | 690 |
| Minnesota | $33,790 | 4,610 |
| Montana | $32,290 | 1,150 |
| New Hampshire | $32,030 | 1,790 |
| Utah | $31,550 | 2,370 |
| Virginia | $30,830 | 9,610 |
| New Mexico | $30,720 | 1,650 |
| Delaware | $30,460 | 1,140 |
| North Dakota | $30,400 | 730 |
| Florida | $30,380 | 17,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,260 | 10,330 |
| Nebraska | $29,970 | 2,170 |
| Idaho | $29,910 | 1,890 |
| South Carolina | $29,900 | 5,280 |
| Texas | $29,810 | 22,690 |
| Tennessee | $29,800 | 7,000 |
| Michigan | $29,730 | 6,480 |
| Ohio | $29,700 | 9,750 |
| Iowa | $29,560 | 3,460 |
| Nevada | $29,530 | 2,500 |
| Wisconsin | $29,490 | 5,600 |
| South Dakota | $29,460 | 1,030 |
| Missouri | $29,390 | 6,570 |
| Arkansas | $29,370 | 2,270 |
| Kentucky | $29,370 | 6,980 |
| North Carolina | $28,900 | 10,810 |
| Georgia | $28,880 | 9,620 |
| Indiana | $28,800 | 6,200 |
| Wyoming | $28,780 | 430 |
| Oklahoma | $28,370 | 3,780 |
| West Virginia | $28,330 | 1,220 |
| Kansas | $27,970 | 3,010 |
| Alabama | $27,940 | 4,170 |
| Louisiana | $27,630 | 3,060 |
| Mississippi | $23,740 | 1,750 |
State median wages for animal caretakers (SOC 39-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for animal caretakers
The BLS projects employment of animal caretakers to grow 12.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 365,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 409,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 62,800 openings a year for animal caretakers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an animal caretaker
The typical entry-level education for animal caretakers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an animal caretaker earns
Employer, clientele, region, and in many cases tips shape pay. Established professionals in affluent, high cost areas earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $38,400) and the lowest (Mississippi, $23,740) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 277,300 people work as animal caretakers in the United States. At $33,470 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Animal caretaker salary FAQ
How much does an animal caretaker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an animal caretaker is $16.09. The middle half of animal caretakers earn between $13.88 and $17.87 per hour.
What is the highest animal caretaker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of animal caretakers earn more than $46,480 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an animal caretaker make a year?
The median annual salary for an animal caretaker is $33,470. The average (mean) wage of $34,750 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an animal caretaker a well paid job?
At $33,470 a year, an animal caretaker earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 277,300 people work as animal caretakers in the United States.
Which state pays animal caretakers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for animal caretakers at $38,400 a year. District of Columbia ($37,980) and California ($37,200) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being an animal caretaker a good career?
Employment of animal caretakers is projected to grow 12.1% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 62,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an animal caretaker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for animal caretakers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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