Animal Caretakers Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 39-2021As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for animal caretakers in the United States is $35,360 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 267,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,250 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $29,820 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $35,360 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $40,050 | Experienced |
| 90th | $50,060 | Senior / highest decile |
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| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $44,210 | $46,510 | 460 |
| Washington | $40,570 | $46,160 | 7,000 |
| Hawaii | $40,130 | $44,620 | 570 |
| Massachusetts | $39,650 | $45,080 | 7,000 |
| California | $38,700 | $42,730 | 26,000 |
| Arizona | $38,180 | $44,630 | 6,000 |
| New York | $37,840 | $40,540 | 12,000 |
| Colorado | $37,430 | $41,010 | 6,000 |
| Connecticut | $37,310 | $42,710 | 3,000 |
| Maine | $37,230 | $39,790 | 1,000 |
| Rhode Island | $37,120 | $42,010 | 1,000 |
| Maryland | $36,780 | $41,820 | 6,000 |
| Alaska | $36,640 | $40,460 | 550 |
| Oregon | $36,580 | $40,380 | 3,000 |
| Minnesota | $36,430 | $38,320 | 4,000 |
| Vermont | $36,090 | $38,460 | 430 |
| New Jersey | $35,850 | $39,940 | 6,000 |
| Illinois | $35,570 | $38,670 | 11,000 |
| Virgin Islands | $35,570 | $36,640 | 50 |
| New Hampshire | $34,790 | $37,160 | 2,000 |
| Utah | $34,750 | $37,600 | 2,000 |
| Virginia | $34,380 | $36,070 | 10,000 |
| Montana | $34,210 | $36,170 | 1,000 |
| Florida | $34,150 | $36,820 | 17,000 |
| North Dakota | $34,040 | $39,460 | 770 |
| Delaware | $33,910 | $35,940 | 1,000 |
| New Mexico | $33,570 | $35,050 | 2,000 |
| Texas | $32,730 | $35,970 | 20,000 |
| Idaho | $32,170 | $34,970 | 2,000 |
| Nebraska | $31,680 | $37,610 | 2,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $31,360 | $34,110 | 10,000 |
| South Carolina | $31,280 | $33,640 | 4,000 |
| Missouri | $31,230 | $34,500 | 6,000 |
| North Carolina | $30,870 | $33,870 | 10,000 |
| Kentucky | $30,720 | $34,070 | 6,000 |
| Tennessee | $30,550 | $34,110 | 6,000 |
| South Dakota | $30,390 | $33,700 | 1,000 |
| Michigan | $30,320 | $33,850 | 6,000 |
| Nevada | $30,320 | $34,400 | 2,000 |
| Ohio | $30,310 | $34,690 | 9,000 |
| Arkansas | $30,230 | $34,110 | 2,000 |
| Wisconsin | $30,160 | $34,330 | 6,000 |
| Iowa | $30,080 | $32,900 | 3,000 |
| Indiana | $29,990 | $31,900 | 6,000 |
| Georgia | $29,860 | $32,250 | 9,000 |
| Kansas | $29,830 | $34,130 | 3,000 |
| Wyoming | $29,080 | $34,150 | 460 |
| Oklahoma | $28,940 | $31,020 | 3,000 |
| West Virginia | $28,550 | $31,550 | 1,000 |
| Alabama | $28,330 | $31,300 | 4,000 |
| Louisiana | $27,910 | $29,840 | 3,000 |
| Puerto Rico | $27,600 | $26,930 | 520 |
| Mississippi | $26,970 | $28,270 | 2,000 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a animal caretakers in the US?
The US national median wage for animal caretakers is $35,360 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for animal caretakers in the US?
Pay ranges from $27,250 at the 10th percentile to $50,060 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay animal caretakers the most?
The highest-paying states for animal caretakers include District of Columbia ($44,210), Washington ($40,570), Hawaii ($40,130). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does animal caretakers salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — District of Columbia ($44,210) pays roughly 64% more than Mississippi ($26,970). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02