Animal Caretakers pay in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the median pay for animal caretakers is $14.84 an hour ($30,870 a year). About 9,730 people work in this job there.
That is 13% lower than the U.S. median ($35,360). North Carolina ranks 33rd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for animal caretakers in North Carolina
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $11.16 | $23,210 |
| 25% of workers | $13.72 | $28,540 |
| Half of workers (median) | $14.84 | $30,870 |
| 75% of workers | $17.30 | $35,990 |
| 90% of workers | $22.17 | $46,120 |
Animal Caretakers pay in North Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $33,960 | 600 |
| Asheville | $33,530 | 570 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $33,530 | 2,690 |
| Burlington | $33,010 | 80 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $32,400 | 1,650 |
| Greenville | $31,550 | 180 |
| Goldsboro | $31,130 | 60 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $30,700 | 670 |
| Jacksonville | $30,460 | 250 |
| Winston-Salem | $30,340 | 430 |
| Wilmington | $29,520 | 610 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $29,310 | 230 |
| Fayetteville | $29,070 | 230 |
| Rocky Mount | $28,520 | 60 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | $28,200 | 150 |
North Carolina 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 North Carolina
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | $38,460 |
| Childcare Workers | $29,140 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,070 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,620 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $38,750 |
| Animal Trainers | $37,680 |
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.