SOC 39-2021 · May 2025 · United States
Animal Caretakers
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Animal Caretakers across the United States is $35,360 per year, measured over 266,910 jobs. The highest state median is in District of Columbia, at $44,210.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Animal Caretakers
Pay for this occupation varies by 63.9% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. District of Columbia pays $44,210 and Mississippi pays $26,970.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $44,210 | 460 | |
| 2 | Washington | $40,570 | 6,620 | |
| 3 | Hawaii | $40,130 | 570 | |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $39,650 | 6,900 | |
| 5 | California | $38,700 | 25,710 | |
| 6 | Arizona | $38,180 | 6,330 | |
| 7 | New York | $37,840 | 12,470 | |
| 8 | Colorado | $37,430 | 6,290 | |
| 9 | Connecticut | $37,310 | 3,000 | |
| 10 | Maine | $37,230 | 1,430 |
States with the most Animal Caretakers jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 25,710 | $38,700 | |
| 2 | Texas | 20,450 | $32,730 | |
| 3 | Florida | 17,210 | $34,150 | |
| 4 | New York | 12,470 | $37,840 | |
| 5 | Illinois | 11,070 | $35,570 | |
| 6 | Virginia | 10,070 | $34,380 | |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 9,910 | $31,360 | |
| 8 | North Carolina | 9,730 | $30,870 | |
| 9 | Ohio | 9,350 | $30,310 | |
| 10 | Georgia | 9,110 | $29,860 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului | $46,270 | 90 |
| 2 | San Jose | $44,070 | 1,090 |
| 3 | Seattle | $44,060 | 3,950 |
| 4 | San Francisco | $43,640 | 3,440 |
| 5 | Barnstable Town | $43,540 | 250 |
| 6 | Burlington | $41,330 | 170 |
| 7 | El Centro | $40,880 | 40 |
| 8 | Amherst Town | $39,870 | 150 |
| 9 | Santa Cruz | $39,870 | 200 |
| 10 | Boston | $39,850 | 5,590 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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