Animal Caretakers Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $35,360 · Median hourly: $17.00 · Employment: 266,910
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,250 | $13.10 |
| 25th | $29,820 | $14.34 |
| Median | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| 75th | $40,050 | $19.26 |
| 90th | $50,060 | $24.07 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 39-2021
- Total U.S. employment: 266,910
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
Across the United States, 266,910 animal caretakers are employed (— per 1,000 jobs), making this one of the larger occupations in the national economy.
The mean wage of $37,300 sits 5.5% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
Animal Caretakers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $28,330 | $13.62 | -19.9% | 4,100 |
| Alaska | $36,640 | $17.61 | +3.6% | 550 |
| Arizona | $38,180 | $18.35 | +8.0% | 6,330 |
| Arkansas | $30,230 | $14.54 | -14.5% | 2,040 |
| California | $38,700 | $18.60 | +9.4% | 25,710 |
| Colorado | $37,430 | $18.00 | +5.9% | 6,290 |
| Connecticut | $37,310 | $17.94 | +5.5% | 3,000 |
| Delaware | $33,910 | $16.30 | -4.1% | 1,230 |
| District of Columbia | $44,210 | $21.25 | +25.0% | 460 |
| Florida | $34,150 | $16.42 | -3.4% | 17,210 |
| Georgia | $29,860 | $14.36 | -15.6% | 9,110 |
| Hawaii | $40,130 | $19.29 | +13.5% | 570 |
| Idaho | $32,170 | $15.47 | -9.0% | 1,760 |
| Illinois | $35,570 | $17.10 | +0.6% | 11,070 |
| Indiana | $29,990 | $14.42 | -15.2% | 6,420 |
| Iowa | $30,080 | $14.46 | -14.9% | 3,480 |
| Kansas | $29,830 | $14.34 | -15.6% | 3,000 |
| Kentucky | $30,720 | $14.77 | -13.1% | 6,140 |
| Louisiana | $27,910 | $13.42 | -21.1% | 2,660 |
| Maine | $37,230 | $17.90 | +5.3% | 1,430 |
| Maryland | $36,780 | $17.68 | +4.0% | 5,570 |
| Massachusetts | $39,650 | $19.06 | +12.1% | 6,900 |
| Michigan | $30,320 | $14.58 | -14.3% | 6,290 |
| Minnesota | $36,430 | $17.51 | +3.0% | 4,250 |
| Mississippi | $26,970 | $12.97 | -23.7% | 1,900 |
| Missouri | $31,230 | $15.02 | -11.7% | 5,820 |
| Montana | $34,210 | $16.45 | -3.3% | 1,200 |
| Nebraska | $31,680 | $15.23 | -10.4% | 2,100 |
| Nevada | $30,320 | $14.58 | -14.3% | 2,470 |
| New Hampshire | $34,790 | $16.73 | -1.6% | 1,810 |
| New Jersey | $35,850 | $17.24 | +1.4% | 5,890 |
| New Mexico | $33,570 | $16.14 | -5.1% | 1,710 |
| New York | $37,840 | $18.19 | +7.0% | 12,470 |
| North Carolina | $30,870 | $14.84 | -12.7% | 9,730 |
| North Dakota | $34,040 | $16.37 | -3.7% | 770 |
| Ohio | $30,310 | $14.57 | -14.3% | 9,350 |
| Oklahoma | $28,940 | $13.92 | -18.2% | 3,170 |
| Oregon | $36,580 | $17.59 | +3.5% | 3,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $31,360 | $15.08 | -11.3% | 9,910 |
| Rhode Island | $37,120 | $17.85 | +5.0% | 1,020 |
| South Carolina | $31,280 | $15.04 | -11.5% | 4,090 |
| South Dakota | $30,390 | $14.61 | -14.1% | 1,110 |
| Tennessee | $30,550 | $14.69 | -13.6% | 6,110 |
| Texas | $32,730 | $15.74 | -7.4% | 20,450 |
| Utah | $34,750 | $16.71 | -1.7% | 2,350 |
| Vermont | $36,090 | $17.35 | +2.1% | 430 |
| Virginia | $34,380 | $16.53 | -2.8% | 10,070 |
| Washington | $40,570 | $19.51 | +14.7% | 6,620 |
| West Virginia | $28,550 | $13.73 | -19.3% | 1,160 |
| Wisconsin | $30,160 | $14.50 | -14.7% | 5,720 |
| Wyoming | $29,080 | $13.98 | -17.8% | 460 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,780/yr
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides — $35,800/yr
- Retail Salespersons — $35,410/yr
- Fast Food and Counter Workers — $31,200/yr
- General and Operations Managers — $105,770/yr
- Registered Nurses — $97,550/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for animal caretakers?
The median annual wage for animal caretakers is $35,360 ($17.00 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays animal caretakers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many animal caretakers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 266,910 animal caretakers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do animal caretakers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $17.00. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.