Animal Caretakers pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for animal caretakers is $17.00 an hour ($35,360 a year). About 266,910 people work in this job there.
Pay range for animal caretakers in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $13.10 | $27,250 |
| 25% of workers | $14.34 | $29,820 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.00 | $35,360 |
| 75% of workers | $19.26 | $40,050 |
| 90% of workers | $24.07 | $50,060 |
Best-paying states for animal caretakers
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $44,210 | 460 |
| Washington | $40,570 | 6,620 |
| Hawaii | $40,130 | 570 |
| Massachusetts | $39,650 | 6,900 |
| California | $38,700 | 25,710 |
| Arizona | $38,180 | 6,330 |
| New York | $37,840 | 12,470 |
| Colorado | $37,430 | 6,290 |
| Connecticut | $37,310 | 3,000 |
| Maine | $37,230 | 1,430 |
Pay by state
- Alabama · $28,330
- Alaska · $36,640
- Arizona · $38,180
- Arkansas · $30,230
- California · $38,700
- Colorado · $37,430
- Connecticut · $37,310
- Delaware · $33,910
- Florida · $34,150
- Georgia · $29,860
- Hawaii · $40,130
- Idaho · $32,170
- Illinois · $35,570
- Indiana · $29,990
- Iowa · $30,080
- Kansas · $29,830
- Kentucky · $30,720
- Louisiana · $27,910
- Maine · $37,230
- Maryland · $36,780
- Massachusetts · $39,650
- Michigan · $30,320
- Minnesota · $36,430
- Mississippi · $26,970
- Missouri · $31,230
- Montana · $34,210
- Nebraska · $31,680
- Nevada · $30,320
- New Hampshire · $34,790
- New Jersey · $35,850
- New Mexico · $33,570
- New York · $37,840
- North Carolina · $30,870
- North Dakota · $34,040
- Ohio · $30,310
- Oklahoma · $28,940
- Oregon · $36,580
- Pennsylvania · $31,360
- Rhode Island · $37,120
- South Carolina · $31,280
- South Dakota · $30,390
- Tennessee · $30,550
- Texas · $32,730
- Utah · $34,750
- Virginia · $34,380
- Washington · $40,570
- West Virginia · $28,550
- Wisconsin · $30,160
Education, experience and outlook for animal caretakers
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +12.1% over ten years, much faster than average · about 62,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | $42,260 |
| Childcare Workers | $34,980 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,380 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,150 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $36,670 |
| Animal Trainers | $39,990 |
| Animal Control Workers | $45,660 |
| Animal Breeders | $51,130 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.