Animal Caretakers pay in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont
In San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (CA), the median pay for animal caretakers is $20.98 an hour ($43,640 a year). About 3,440 people work in this job there.
That is 23% higher than the U.S. median ($35,360). It is 13% higher than the California median ($38,700).
Pay range for animal caretakers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (CA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.54 | $38,570 |
| 25% of workers | $19.61 | $40,780 |
| Half of workers (median) | $20.98 | $43,640 |
| 75% of workers | $22.90 | $47,630 |
| 90% of workers | $29.25 | $60,840 |
Animal Caretakers pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $44,070 | 1,090 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (this page) | $43,640 | 3,440 |
| El Centro | $40,880 | 40 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $39,870 | 200 |
| Vallejo | $39,520 | 230 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $38,840 | 600 |
| Napa | $38,750 | 100 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $38,520 | 9,000 |
| Modesto | $38,320 | 280 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $38,280 | 270 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $37,970 | 380 |
| Salinas | $37,960 | 240 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $37,870 | 3,030 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $37,780 | 1,510 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $37,340 | 50 |
| Yuba City | $37,300 | 60 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $37,120 | 300 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $37,050 | 2,170 |
| Redding | $36,900 | 160 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $36,660 | 310 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $36,620 | 520 |
| Merced | $36,480 | 80 |
| Fresno | $36,430 | 540 |
| Visalia | $36,150 | 120 |
| Chico | $35,990 | 150 |
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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (CA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | $56,080 |
| Childcare Workers | $44,540 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $49,400 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $71,090 |
Other job titles for this job
Open animal caretakers jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring animal caretakers? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
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.