Animal Caretakers pay in Virginia
In Virginia, the median pay for animal caretakers is $16.53 an hour ($34,380 a year). About 10,070 people work in this job there.
That is 3% lower than the U.S. median ($35,360). Virginia ranks 21st of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for animal caretakers in Virginia
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $13.49 | $28,050 |
| 25% of workers | $14.18 | $29,490 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.53 | $34,380 |
| 75% of workers | $18.33 | $38,120 |
| 90% of workers | $22.20 | $46,180 |
Animal Caretakers pay in Virginia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $35,190 | 370 |
| Richmond | $33,710 | 1,540 |
| Harrisonburg | $31,980 | 140 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $30,870 | 1,990 |
| Winchester | $30,470 | 100 |
| Roanoke | $30,060 | 350 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | $28,940 | 120 |
| Lynchburg | $28,800 | 220 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | $28,160 | 160 |
Virginia unemployment rate: 3.6% (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 Virginia
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | $43,200 |
| Childcare Workers | $34,330 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,450 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $52,090 |
| Animal Trainers | $62,960 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $38,670 |
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.