Animal Caretakers pay in Missouri
In Missouri, the median pay for animal caretakers is $15.02 an hour ($31,230 a year). About 5,820 people work in this job there.
That is 12% lower than the U.S. median ($35,360). Missouri ranks 32nd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Missouri
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $13.75 | $28,600 |
| 25% of workers | $14.09 | $29,300 |
| Half of workers (median) | $15.02 | $31,230 |
| 75% of workers | $17.07 | $35,500 |
| 90% of workers | $21.60 | $44,930 |
Animal Caretakers pay in Missouri metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $32,150 | 2,470 |
| St. Louis | $31,530 | 3,100 |
| Columbia | $29,950 | 280 |
| Cape Girardeau | $29,890 | 120 |
| St. Joseph | $29,830 | 80 |
| Springfield | $29,390 | 440 |
| Jefferson City | $29,280 | 100 |
| Joplin | $28,610 | 130 |
Missouri unemployment rate: 3.5% (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 Missouri
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | $37,680 |
| Childcare Workers | $30,790 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $43,520 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,660 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $32,950 |
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.