Animal Caretakers pay in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

In Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario (CA), the median pay for animal caretakers is $17.81 an hour ($37,050 a year). About 2,170 people work in this job there.

$17.81Median hourly pay
$35,900–$43,880Middle half of workers, yearly
2,170People in this job in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario (CA)

That is 5% higher than the U.S. median ($35,360). It is 4% lower than the California median ($38,700).

Pay range for animal caretakers in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario (CA)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$16.82$34,980
25% of workers$17.26$35,900
Half of workers (median)$17.81$37,050
75% of workers$21.10$43,880
90% of workers$23.44$48,760

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$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 (this page)$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 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario (CA)

JobMedian yearly pay
Nursing Assistants$46,430
Childcare Workers$40,210
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$44,810

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.