Animal Caretakers pay in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim

In Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CA), the median pay for animal caretakers is $18.52 an hour ($38,520 a year). About 9,000 people work in this job there.

$18.52Median hourly pay
$36,770–$43,810Middle half of workers, yearly
9,000People in this job in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CA)

That is 9% higher than the U.S. median ($35,360). It is about the same as the California median ($38,700).

Pay range for animal caretakers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CA)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$17.11$35,590
25% of workers$17.68$36,770
Half of workers (median)$18.52$38,520
75% of workers$21.06$43,810
90% of workers$24.82$51,630

Animal Caretakers pay in California metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$44,0701,090
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont$43,6403,440
El Centro$40,88040
Santa Cruz-Watsonville$39,870200
Vallejo$39,520230
Santa Rosa-Petaluma$38,840600
Napa$38,750100
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (this page)$38,5209,000
Modesto$38,320280
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles$38,280270
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara$37,970380
Salinas$37,960240
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad$37,8703,030
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom$37,7801,510
Hanford-Corcoran$37,34050
Yuba City$37,30060
Stockton-Lodi$37,120300
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario$37,0502,170
Redding$36,900160
Bakersfield-Delano$36,660310
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura$36,620520
Merced$36,48080
Fresno$36,430540
Visalia$36,150120
Chico$35,990150

California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CA)

JobMedian yearly pay
Nursing Assistants$47,380
Childcare Workers$39,890
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$46,070
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$60,670

Other job titles for this job

AquaristAnimal Care TechnicianAnimal Health TechnicianAnimal Care Service WorkerAnimal Care SpecialistAnimal CaretakerWildlife RehabilitatorAnimal HandlerCat GroomerDog GroomerPet GroomerAnimal Care Attendant

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Source: 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.