Animal Caretakers pay in New York-Newark-Jersey City

In New York-Newark-Jersey City (NY), the median pay for animal caretakers is $18.22 an hour ($37,900 a year). About 11,430 people work in this job there.

$18.22Median hourly pay
$35,990–$44,130Middle half of workers, yearly
11,430People in this job in New York-Newark-Jersey City (NY)

That is 7% higher than the U.S. median ($35,360). It is about the same as the New York median ($37,840).

Pay range for animal caretakers in New York-Newark-Jersey City (NY)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$16.46$34,230
25% of workers$17.30$35,990
Half of workers (median)$18.22$37,900
75% of workers$21.22$44,130
90% of workers$24.90$51,790

Animal Caretakers pay in New York metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
New York-Newark-Jersey City (this page)$37,90011,430
Ithaca$36,930100
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh$36,360540
Glens Falls$35,89080
Albany-Schenectady-Troy$35,640880
Syracuse$35,500470
Utica-Rome$35,460180
Kingston$35,090150
Rochester$34,950730
Buffalo-Cheektowaga$34,840800
Elmira$34,28050
Binghamton$33,880130
Watertown-Fort Drum$33,81060

New York unemployment rate: 4.3% (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 New York-Newark-Jersey City (NY)

JobMedian yearly pay
Nursing Assistants$49,270
Childcare Workers$37,870
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$46,160
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$59,680

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.