Animal Caretakers pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL), the median pay for animal caretakers is $17.36 an hour ($36,110 a year). About 8,510 people work in this job there.
That is 2% higher than the U.S. median ($35,360). It is 2% higher than the Illinois median ($35,570).
Pay range for animal caretakers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| 25% of workers | $16.42 | $34,160 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.36 | $36,110 |
| 75% of workers | $18.29 | $38,030 |
| 90% of workers | $26.81 | $55,770 |
Animal Caretakers pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (this page) | $36,110 | 8,510 |
| Springfield | $34,160 | 150 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $32,950 | 170 |
| Rockford | $32,720 | 240 |
| Peoria | $32,010 | 300 |
| Decatur | $31,670 | 100 |
| Bloomington | $31,280 | 150 |
| Kankakee | $31,200 | 70 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | $46,940 |
| Childcare Workers | $36,610 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,820 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $39,280 |
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.