Animal Caretakers pay in Iowa
In Iowa, the median pay for animal caretakers is $14.46 an hour ($30,080 a year). About 3,480 people work in this job there.
That is 15% lower than the U.S. median ($35,360). Iowa ranks 42nd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Iowa
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $10.80 | $22,450 |
| 25% of workers | $13.10 | $27,240 |
| Half of workers (median) | $14.46 | $30,080 |
| 75% of workers | $16.89 | $35,140 |
| 90% of workers | $21.93 | $45,610 |
Animal Caretakers pay in Iowa metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Ames | $38,700 | 190 |
| Iowa City | $33,510 | 300 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $31,200 | 290 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $30,950 | 920 |
| Sioux City | $29,880 | 130 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $29,870 | 470 |
| Dubuque | $29,420 | 80 |
| Cedar Rapids | $29,190 | 340 |
Iowa unemployment rate: 3.2% (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 Iowa
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | $39,350 |
| Childcare Workers | $28,420 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,720 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $36,480 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,560 |
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.