Animal Caretakers pay in Lexington-Fayette

In Lexington-Fayette (KY), the median pay for animal caretakers is $16.63 an hour ($34,590 a year). About 2,400 people work in this job there.

$16.63Median hourly pay
$29,100–$38,690Middle half of workers, yearly
2,400People in this job in Lexington-Fayette (KY)

That is 2% lower than the U.S. median ($35,360). It is 13% higher than the Kentucky median ($30,720).

Pay range for animal caretakers in Lexington-Fayette (KY)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$11.32$23,540
25% of workers$13.99$29,100
Half of workers (median)$16.63$34,590
75% of workers$18.60$38,690
90% of workers$22.78$47,370

Animal Caretakers pay in Kentucky metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Lexington-Fayette (this page)$34,5902,400
Paducah$31,20060
Louisville/Jefferson County$30,8301,640
Elizabethtown$29,730120
Bowling Green$29,510160
Owensboro$29,07070

Kentucky 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 Lexington-Fayette (KY)

JobMedian yearly pay
Nursing Assistants$39,380

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.